Why is Christmas more popular and beloved than Easter, even though in Christianity, Easter is the more significant holiday?
Why do otherwise self-respecting agnostics and atheists buy trees and tinsel?
The Christmas story is a beautiful myth, and it’s a myth about humanity. Easter is about the dying and rising god; important, but not as mysterious, and it’s one of those myths that is about the doings of gods, not about humans. It’s probably the same reason that Jews celebrate the Exodus more than we celebrate the giving of the Commandments. The end of the story-cycle is interesting but not all that emotional.
The story of Christmas is very human. In terrible times, in the humblest of places, there is new life, and a sign that there is love, and hope. That’s why there is no “spirit of the Easter season”. That’s why Christmas is celebrated near the longest and darkest time of the year. No matter how dark and cold and ugly the world may seem, look: there is a star, and light in the world; and hope for the good that is in humanity.
To all of you who believe, I wish you a Merry Christmas.
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