The days around the winter solstice and the end of the year have been celebrated by mankind since long before being usurped by the Christian Church as the supposed birth time of Jesus.

Many of the seasonal customs and traditions have little or nothing to do with Christianity.

It is, after all, a logical time to celebrate - the turn of the year, when the days stop shortening and start to lengthen, when we can look back on the achievements and disappointments of the old year and look forward with hopes of a better one to come.

So, whether we call it Christmas, Saturnalia or something else does not really matter. It is a time of fun and laughter, an opportunity for families and friends to celebrate the joy of being alive together, to enjoy the pleasure of giving and receiving gifts, to consider those less fortunate than ourselves and for children and the young at heart to wonder at the magic of it all.

Some mourn the fact it now has little religious significance. Given the suffering brought to the world by religious wars and bigotry over the centuries in the name of a supposedly merciful God, maybe a secular festival better suits the cause of peace and goodwill.

Happy New Year

-Vince Wild, Bodiam Close, Lower Bevendean