[Lauren]

The original "christmas" was called Winter Solstice... it was a Pagan festival to celebrate the changing of seasons. This involved giving 'presents' to people to bide them through cold times. Personally I believe this is where the modern day Christmas comes from.

However, in early Roman times there was arguments between Pagans and the Church of England and at the time the CoE was a moneymaking beauracratic hierarchy where the people at the top made a LOT of money - it is believed they chose Dec. 25th in order to try and convert Pagans to Christianity.

Obviously other people have varying opinions on this, but I don't see the religious connotations of Christmas - since originally its simply a festival to mark the changing of seasons. I accept, however, that Christians like to celebrate the birth of Jesus on this day and I'm not opposed to this - just personally for me it's nothing to do with this.

Edit: Chewy, there were a few people named Jesus on the census around that time but since its been translated and retranslated from early Hebrew we can't get an exact date of birth. Also, they have numerous documents from the time of 'Jesus' (i.e., the people on the census) and from none of these documents do they mention a miracle-maker carpenter. Strange, considering the things he did. However, I'm not prepared to tear about the concept of religion right now cos I do respect others faith and don't want to be disrespectful as to counteract the bible.