"Jingle Bells", Robert Rheims - Merry Xmas 5004 B

This week's theme: Non-Christian Christmas

Christmas is of course a religious holiday for most of us.
But not for everybody.
The winter solstice was used by other religions as they're god's birth or 
special day too.

Mitra was also born on Dec. 25 and it was also connected with Sol Invictus - 
the Roman sun god.

Nobody knows Jesus's actual birthday.
Some say the reference to the shepherds being out with their flocks at night 
indicates a time in the summer or fall.
I always figured the early Christians picked the same date to force the 
issue.
If there were different dates you could party with the pagans one night and 
then with the Christians on another.
Being at the same time forced you to choose.
Even in the ancient world, you couldn't be in two places at once.
And then there's the peer pressure afterward - "We missed you last night - 
where were you?"
What do you think? Crazy idea?

Today we have several holidays spread over December.
If you work it right you should be able to stay drunk all week.

So whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Festivus, Dies Natalis Solis 
Invicti, Christmas or all of the above.

Happy Holidays and Stay Jazzed!
--Tom Swezey
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