It doesn't bother me that people point out that many of the Christmas traditions have been borrowed from ancient pagan ritual. What does bother me is how you'll hear sappy TV Christmas specials say...
The
true meaning of Christmas is... loving your fellow man, world peace, fellowship with family/friends, a time to give back.
Thats not to say you can't do all that and still celebrate Christ's birth.
No, the true meaning of Christmas, as it is intended to be celebrated in our day and age, is to celebrate the birth of Christ. If you prefer a solstice celebration instead, go for it... but call it something else. If some choose not to celebrate Christ's birth and participate in some of the wonderful ritual, that perfectly fine. Just don't use the word "Christmas" and hijack something that others hold sacred to fit your own sensibilities.
