December 23, 2004

Happy Hogswatchnight!

In this holiday season, many devout Christians are upset, their consciences revolted, by the prospect of being compelled by custom and secular convention to engage in all manner of pagan displays. (Fred "slacktivist" Clark provides a typically-intelligent evangelical perspective.) Heathen observances are basically unavoidable at this time of year. Today, for instance, falling mid-way between the winter solstice and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, is the last day of Saturnalia. What better time, then, to recount the true story of the birth of our lord and savior, and to enjoy what one critic has called "a deep reminder of the old blood-on-snow huge sweating bristly virile boar nightmare ice age aspects of Christmas"?

IT'S THE EXPRESSION ON THEIR LITTLE FACES I LIKE, said the Hogfather.
"You mean sort of fear and awe and not knowing whether to laugh or cry or wet their pants?"
YES. NOW THAT IS WHAT I CALL BELIEF.

(Provoked by Rob Haslinger.)

Linkage; Writing for Antiquity

Posted at December 23, 2004 16:46 | permanent link

Three-Toed Sloth