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I thought this was an excellent letter in this mornings paper.

Feeling of Christmas ties many customs together

Christmas is on the way, along with the politically correct debate about how it should be acknowledged -- or not -- by government buildings, organizations and institutions. It troubles me that a holiday that brings so much joy is reduced to this conflict. Perhaps we should revisit how this nation celebrates Thanksgiving, the holiday that recognizes how a group of Christians gathered to thank God for surviving a harsh winter, and Halloween, a holiday that has its origins in the Christian celebration of the eve of All Saints Day.

Christmas is a holy day because Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of Christ on Dec. 25. Many nations have designated it a holiday, in part because of the universal spirit of peace and goodwill the holiday season generates.

Christmas can be celebrated in three ways. At one end of the spectrum, we have those celebrants who adhere strictly to a religious theme. At the other end of the spectrum, secular celebrants enjoy the feeling of joy, brotherhood and peace that permeates the community. And somewhere in the middle are the celebrants who blend the two -- those who will sing "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" followed by "Silent Night."

Since Christmas has been celebrated for almost 2,000 years now, identifying all ethnic traditions, customs and their origins, religious and non-religious ones, would be an impossible task. In addition, each succeeding generation of every nation leaves its own mark and contribution so the celebration is in a constant state of change.

The symbols of Christmas do not establish or support a religion. They are a universal collection intended to bring out the best in all of us, a feeling to last throughout the new year.