two things: one to do with running, the other with my fastly-deteriorating fashion sense

If you didn't read my earlier post you should probably go back.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/news/2000/dec08.html

Here is a website that explains why Christmas is on December 25th. I've read this before. Basically, it was a pagan holiday. Early Christians chose this day so it would be easier to convert the pagans to Christianity.

The pagan origins of the Christmas date, as well as pagan origins for many Christmas customs (gift-giving and merrymaking from Roman Saturnalia; greenery, lights, and charity from the Roman New Year; Yule logs and various foods from Teutonic feasts), have always fueled arguments against the holiday. "It's just paganism wrapped with a Christian bow," naysayers argue. But while kowtowing to worldliness must always be a concern for Christians, the church has generally viewed efforts to reshape culture—including holidays—positively. As a theologian asserted in 320, "We hold this day holy, not like the pagans because of the birth of the sun, but because of him who made it."

I don't think we need to fight about Christmas, or the Christmas greetings. The holiday does mean different things to different people, but there is a lot that should bind people together across the board.

Family, giving, celebration, love, friendship, etc. 

Pretty sure the Happy Holidayers value all of that too.