Giving and Receiving... (Score 1)

The practice of giving gifts on Christmas comes from an older, more magical tradition. From "The Magikal Year" (ISBN: 0877288828), in the pagan world, the person who did not give generously during this time of year would not have good luck in the coming new year. (Could this be the true origin of, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" and other seasonal aphorisms?). Later, Christians adopted the practice in order to remember and honor "God's great gift to mankind" or something like that.

For some more informative Christmas and pre-Christmas links, check out the Wikipedia's Christmas entry.

Merry Holy Days to my fellow /.ers!! May Health, wealth, Peace, Goodwill, and lots of nifty gadgets be yours now and always ;).