Once was a time when I couldn't bear Christmas celebrations.  I don't mean Nativity plays or decorations which tell the story of the birth of Jesus.  I don't mean Midnight Mass and Christmas church services.  These I have always held in positive regard and still do.  They are the heart of Christmas.

No: what once got up my nose was Father Christmas, elves and reindeers.  I got teed off by snow scenes and reminders of the winter solstice.  In Bethlehem, it could conceivably have snowed  when Jesus was born, but as Bethlehem enjoys a climate rather like that inland from Perth, Brookton, say, or Merredin , snow is unlikely.  Certainly Christine Rosetti's "snow upon snow" is impossible.

I wanted an earnestly Christian Christmas.  I wrote things on Christmas cards like "Put Christ back into Christmass" and "Jesus is the Reason for the Season".

I was ashamed when, for example, the predominantly Hindu City Council of Curepipe in Mauritius displayed a huge Christmas stable on top of its civic buildings when predominantly Christian Councils in Mauritius, as here, completely omitted all reference to the Christian story in their decorations.

"It's our season!" I wanted to shout.  Don't let it become just a celebration of consumerism, empty whipping up desire for material things.  I found it so easy to denigrate all but the religious aspects of Christmas.

Of course I want the story of Jesus' birth to be the heart of Christmas.  I pray that this story will lead many to contemplate the mystery of the Incarnation.  But I also now feel free to allow Yuletide its place.

It may not be high theology, but family gatherings are a reason to celebrate, and a universal sign of the unity of the human family under God.

 It may turn into nature mysticism, but celebrating the turn of the seasons is a reminder of God's providence, Brother Sun turning the cold of winter to the warmth of summer and bringing forth the fruits of the earth.

It may not be the wisdom of the Magi, but gifts appearing on a child's bed on Christmas morning are wonderful sacraments of parental love.

It may not be the mystery of angels, but flying reindeers and the romantic characteristics of holly are also symbols of all that is transcendent and beyond our knowledge.

It may lead to overindulgence, but celebrating God and each other with food and drink makes us more truly human.

Work and secular "Christmas" parties may disturb our Advent, but they do bring people together and build community.

So, this summer solstice I say not only "Christmas blessings" (oh how pious!), but also with good cheer, "Merry Christmas."