You don't need to believe in The Divine Mothers, female deities venerated in North-West Europe from 1 CE onwards, to enjoy the tradition of Yuletide feasts.
You don't need to be a Heathen and believe in Odin, or Jolnir (Old Norse for 'yule figure') as he is also called, to enjoy other Yuletide favourites such as the Yule log, Yule boar (Christmas ham), Yule Tree (Christmas tree), and Yule singing (Christmas caroling).
You don't need to believe inSaturn to celebrate Saturnalia with a school holiday, with the giving of presents, and with feasts.
You don't need to be a believer in the cult ofNicholas (who morphed with the Germanic deity Odin and shed his Mediterranean appearance, grew a beard, mounted a flying horse, rescheduled his flight for December, and donned heavy winter clothing) to enjoy the tradition of a visitor bringing gifts at night.
You don't have to believe inPasqua Epiphania, the Italian female deity also called The Grandmother, to fill children's stockings with gifts.
You don't need to think thatThe Sun might not come back and celebrate its rebirth after the winter's solstice.
And you don't need to believe in Jesus Christ to enjoy the tradition of of renaming this ancient holiday to Christ's Mass.
All you need to do in order to celebrate and enjoy these ancient winter festivals is to be Merry!
Merry Xmas everyone.
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