I put down Christmas. No I won't be celebrating the birthday of Jesus Christ. There won't be any tree in our house or lights or eggnog or Sound of Music reruns. My daughter may be going to see Father Christmas but only because my wifes' job do an event for the children and I see no reason to deny her a free toy. The only special thing I may do if I'm not working is to see the premiere of Paycheck.

But I still maintain I am celebrating Christmas. Not Xmas which is just a dumb circumlocution like BCE. Not some silly fig leaf to make it look like Christmas is part of Hindu culture like those people who suddenly get a "kalpataru" (wish-fullfilling tree) this time of year. No I'm celebrating that the people around me are celebrating, and praying, and attempting to be kind to each other and just plain having a good time. Christmas is the reason for it all. Why should I feel threatened or bent out of shape by that?