It's the Season

Christmas may be over, but I like to think that the Christmas Season lasts through New Year's Day. You know, that time of year referred to as "The Holidays."

In keeping with those feelings of tidings and joy, it's hard to focus on all of the gloom and doom of the political scene, with things such as the possible selection of the GOP's version of the Pope (non-Catholic edition, of course) as a presidential candidate, the debacle of the lackluster Democratic Congress failing to stand up for important issues and rights, the pending gun control issue before the Supreme Court along with the rising rate of gun violence in our fair land. And then, of course, there's Iraq, Iran & Afghanistan, along with the Israelis & Palestinians -- and now Pakistan. And let's not forget the forgotten genocide in Darfur.

Yet, I'm not quite ready to tackle those issues in any meaningful, in-depth way just yet. I'd rather savor the spirit of the holidays a bit longer.

In keeping with that frame of mind, I can't resist this holiday treat. From Lugosi at Mirth, Musings & More, who shares my view on the "War on Christmas," Fun Facts About Xmas Guaranteed To Piss Off Christians, and who notes:

Over the last several years quite a controversy has erupted over the use of the term "happy holidays." I personally used to favor it only because it seemed like a shorter way of saying "merry Christmas and happy new year." But then somehow political correctness crept into the matter, quite a few people got their panties in a wad over what they perceived as a war on Christmas.

Yes, Virginia, there may be a Santa Claus, but Lugosi also provides this delicious tidbit on that most sacred day, commemorating the birth of the Baby Jesus:

That is why I finally decided to make a stand. It's time to forget the happy holidays crap and return to the TRUE roots of Christmas.... And it has nothing to do with the birth of the baby Jesus.

Saturnalia was a Roman festival that was celebrated around the time of the winter solstice.

"Saturnalia was a big holiday- businesses and courts closed for days. The halls were decked with holly branches and evergreen wreaths. People visited family and attended lavish banquets and holiday parties. Gifts of silver, candles, figurines, and sweets (often tied to evergreen wreaths) were exchanged. It was also customary to light candles and roam the streets singing holiday songs (albeit often in the nude). Even the "Christmas Tree" was a common sight."

So there you have it: Christmas traces its origins to an ancient pagan holiday.

And that's also why every word of the Bible should be taken as literal truth.