Merry Christmas everyone! Thanks for this great website where it is possible to have intellectual discussions no matter what odd and lonely place one might be l

Merry Christmas everyone! Thanks for this great website where it is possible to have intellectual discussions no matter what odd and lonely place one might be living in. :-) I have had to recreate Christmas for my family on my own - my wife is Turkish and although she is not highly religious (especially about food!) it was not a "thing" for her for most of her life. When I was living in Istanbul with her, Christmas was just another working day although I noticed a somewhat wistful attitude - people who sort of wished to join in but felt they were on the outside. The occasional Christmas tree. It was very odd for me. I couldn't surmount those odds and I also had never had to be the initiator. When my mum died years and years ago, everything died. Back in the UK it's easier and I have a daughter so I HAVE to make it happen. I'm not that good at it but today my daughter, without telling me, filled my christmas stocking :-) So the bug has caught on. :-) Now it's time to have breakfast and open presents from under the tree. I wish a very joyful day to everyone. I risk controversy by saying that Christmas was not originally a religious festival and whatever religion you are, you're not excluded from enjoying it. It was a "middle-of-winter" party and I think it was to keep Northern Europeans spirits up at the darkest time of the year. That it has turned into "good will to all men" is great but it isn't owned by any church.