[Drake]

When Constantine made Christianty the state religion the pagan gods of the previous state religion got new names, names of Christian personalities. The Madonna and Child being the most relevant example in this thread -- Mary and baby Jesus. It allowed Constantine to unite factions of the empire but in so doing a flood of unbelievers came into the church as nominal Christians. Pagan practices where given new Christian definitions. This was a great deception through the subtly of the enemy to marry the church to the world but was very effective.

I personally do not celebrate Christmas, not because it has become commercialized, but because I do not accept that its icons, practices, etc, were ever of Christian origins to begin with. Just renamed as Constantine allowed. And I like a pretty decorated tree as much as the next guy so it's not a matter of personal taste. Though holding those beliefs I also do not feel the need to torch my neighbors Santa and Rudolf's brightly lit red nose display nor their plastic Nativity scene. However, I don't think we should make excuses either like trying to justify celebrating Christmas. Research into the history of the Christmas will reveal their non-Christian roots and whether we celebrate the event or not we should not do as Constatine did and spin it.

Drake