Both Christmas and Chanukah have similar symbols: lights. Both are winter
holidays. One could examine the symbols of Easter and Passover and find
similarities. The egg for one. This symbolizes birth, rebirth, new
beginnings.

Joyce
----- Original Message -----
From: Betty Alfred <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, December 23, 1999 1:54 AM
Subject: Re: Solistice


> In a message dated 12/22/1999 4:28:47 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> [log in to unmask] writes:
>
> << WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATIONS:
>  a.k.a. Christmas, Saturnalia, Yule
>   >>
> This is fascinating!  I knew that Christmas traditions had pagan origins,
but
> you posted a lot that I didn't know.  Just tonight I saw a program on the
> history channel about the origins of Christmas ("Christmas Unwrapped").
The
> show didn't cover nearly as much as you did, but corroborated what you
said
> in terms of pagan influence.  The only difference was that they said the
> birth of Jesus was thought to have occurred in the spring rather than the
> fall, but there is probably an argument supporting each supposition.
>
> This was really interesting and informative Trisha.  Thanks for taking the
> time to share.  It's an honor, especially considering what your work
schedule
> is like right now.
> Betty
>