Thank you, Magister.

Sounds like you've had some rough Christmases.

I enjoy Christmas but I obviously don't take part in any religious aspects. The last two years me and my fiancee didn't bother with a tree or any decorations, last year because we didn't want too and this year because we're visiting our families. The season gives me time off work, gifts and it's a good reason to head to the other side of the country and visit family knowing they'll be off work too.

Also I love turning off the house lights and turning on the tree, I find it very relaxing.

Me too. Very beautiful!

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned this yet, but the Church of Satan news page featured a commentary about the solstice, as it does every year:
http://news.churchofsatan.com/

A most excellent point! I read this, but didn't think of referencing it. The short excerpt from H. P. Lovecraft, contained in the text of the article, is deserving of thought as well.

And again the wise words of Magus Gilmore. Simply love the feeling of knowing, that someone fully independent from me thinks the same way I do.

Bah Humbug!

And a Happy New Year to you Sir!

I dare say there are many, many Christians who likely go through the whole Christmas thing without a single thought about the supposed birth of their 'savior'.

That is also true. Many people simply 'follow the trend' and celebrate some doubtful event, without giving their actions any sense and without placing any idea behind it. A typical example of herd-conformity. By doing so throughout their entire life, they actually make their lives hollow and pointless. Quite revolting, don't you think?

Thank God, I am a Satanist...

In finland we have this word called "tapakristitty" which would mean something like "habit christian" in english language. These are the chritian people who haven´t ever read bible or be religious but still feel need to hang on in christian traditions like church wedding, christmas etc. This is actually very common form of hypocrisy in finnish religious field!

There are plenty of people, who call themselves 'Christians', while they do not even know the abracadabra they believe in. I met a lot of 'believers', who knew less about their religion, than I do, while I am an atheist.

Rather like someone calling themselves a cosmologist because s/he gazed romantically at the moon...

Ha ha - that's right! There are just so many posers. I have heard so many people claiming to be Satanists - and claiming it right after you met them - while, after a short conversation, they appeared to be devil-worshipers. You should see their faces, when I told them, that the horned Satan isn't real.