Weird, I just posted about this in the money thread.

What gnome said. The Christians wanted to "take over" the popular pagan solstice holiday (celebrating return of the sun, etc.). That's what's with all the lights on christmas, something to do with the days getting longer. The tree is Druid, Santa Claus comes from some weird mushroom-distrubuting Nordic guy, etc.

Unfortunately I am forced to participate, as long as I choose to have these annoying "friends and family" in my life. I say unfortunately not because I am an atheist but because I am a scrooge.