Commentary
Traditionally, Christmas Day commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. The celebrations originated in pagan and Roman times when the Romans celebrated the birth of Mithra, their sun god, on Dec. 25.
As no one knew the birth date of Jesus Christ, Mithra’s birthday was adopted as the day on which Christ’s birth would be commemorated.
Christmas is still one of the most important religious days in the calendar of Christianity. However, lately, it has increasingly become a secular holiday and its religious connotation is fast disappearing.
Of course, the Christmas tree still adorns shopping centres, with Santa Claus assuming the role of a benevolent father to all children….