the ancient roots of our winter holidays

Those of us who studied history recall that much of Christmas was derived from Yule, a winter festival based on Norse traditions which were similar to an extended New Year’s party complete with feasts, ritual sacrifices and toasts to the gods and the spirits of those who crossed into the Netherworld. Like all cultures, the end of the calendar year meant a big bash. But if we were to take away the nativity stories latched on to this European winter festival as Christianity was being spread by kings and missionaries during the Dark Ages, we find that the holiday season has more to do with the mythology that inspired the game trailer below than the Gospels…

While pundits throw fits about the supposed War on Christmas based on how many big box store clerks gave them the sendoff they wanted after packing their purchases at the mall, and priests recite the nativity story, we should remember that winter holidays are all about getting together with our loved ones, reflecting and setting goals for the future. Winter holidays don’t belong to any particular religion. They belong to all of us as a break in our hectic lives to relax and make plans for the years to come. So enjoy the holidays and have fun with your family and friends without worrying about the annual culture wars or the thunderous rantings of those whose living is built on pitting us against each other for the sake of money, power and ideology. Just eat, drink and be merry while the clock counts down to the end of 2009.