ORIGINAL: thatstang

Just as a side note. No One really knows when Jesus was born. December 25 originaly was a pegan holiday in Rome that celebrates the Sun God on the winter solstice. There have been many festivals of every sort around winter solstice dating back to Babylonians. This was always a time a great merry making, there were big dinners, people carrying lighted candles through the streets, and giving gifts was a common practice.
Constantine The Great made Christianity religion of Rome and needed a way to convert the pegans running around Rome with candles and presents to Christianity so the story goes.....
My opinion is that people in America commercialized this holiday too much. It is a joyfull holiday and should be spent with family and loved once but should not be taken to extremes.
Hannukah is another holiday that is blown out of proportions and some even compare it to Christmas.
Hannukah is a veru small holiday for Jews and not as significant as some others like Passover and Rosh Hashanah.
Just wanted to throw some history facts out there for you to digest. I like to question everything like every man should.