The problem is this: both sides mistakenly believe that the traditions they wish to prop up, or do away with still have the religious significance they once did.  The fact of the matter is various social factors, most notably commercialization, have robbed many of those traditions of any such significance and good number, even most, simply never had any.  Indeed, Christmas was a creation of the emerging bourgeoisie and grew out of new conception of family fostered by that class and perfected by its best known representative intellectuals, most notably Charles Dickens.  What is more, over time Christmas became something akin to a dirty snow ball as more and more disparate traditions found their way into the mix.    I like it that way and I am no mood to have the Christians with the help of their “liberal” opponents instill religious significance into those traditions just so they can fight over the separation of church and state. 

So “liberals”, stop with the “winter solstice” thing and claim Christmas for everyone by wishing everyone regardless of creed or religion a Merry Xmas. 

The CSMonitor has more on the issue here.  http://csmonitor.com/2004/1215/p01s03-ussc .html" title="http://csmonitor.com/2004/1215/p01s03-ussc .html" target="_blank"http://csmonitor.com/2004/121...