Happy holidays!

Or "Merry Christmas", if you prefer -- Christmas is so eclectic in its origins and character that it seems a shame to limit it to a single greeting. It's basically the old Roman festival of Saturnalia, which featured revelry and gift exchanges, as well as an inversion of social status roles which has unfortunately vanished from the modern celebration (might be interesting to see, say, banking executives waiting on temp workers at Christmas dinner). The concept of December 25th as the birthday of a god seems to have come from the Persian cult of Mithra, which had spread into the Roman Empire by the time Constantine made Christianity its official religion. Later, Germanic touches like Santa Claus and the Christmas tree were added. Today, Christmas is consecrated to the god Mammon, and believers flock to sacred sites called "malls" to offer up large sacrifices of money in hopes that the high priests of economic indicators will announce blessed retail sales figures to ensure a bountiful gross national product.

So, observe whatever tradition you choose.....




.....enjoy the Christmas light displays.....



.....put on some festive Christmas music.....



.....celebrate with family and friends.....


.....and, of course, drive carefully on your way home, especially if it's a long trip.


[Oh Tannenbaum found via Republic of Gilead.]