I FELT moved to respond to Hilary Brown (Letters, July 28). She gives a long list of what Christians don’t do, and I have every regard for her faith, but I do question her naivety in insisting that Christmas is all about Christianity.

Most people who are not indoctrinated by Christianity are aware that the celebrations practised around December 25 are very ancient in origin and have their roots in the celebration of the winter solstice, the core of which is to celebrate the pagan festival of the shortest length of day and therefore the longest time of darkness, as we know the ancient people looked forward to the promise of lengthening days and more light.

All of the things listed by Hilary Brown are of Victorian origins and have actually nothing whatsoever to do with faith. Because people do not hold to the Christian faith does not mean that they should not celebrate the YULE TIDE practice of burning a log in celebration of the turn of the year, and the promise of spring, more light, more sun.

Sadly, like many Christians, she shows all the signs of intolerance herself. I recommend the adage “live and let live”.

Margaret Vince, Bramham Grove, Chapelfields, York.