Jay Parini : In the retail rush of Christmas , people do n't ponder where holiday came from . He says it coincides with winter solstice and other ancient midwinter festivals . Comment: Parini : Christmas a melange of ancient and meaningful practices .
Jay Parini : In the retail rush of Christmas , people do n't ponder where holiday came from . He says it coincides with winter solstice and other ancient midwinter festivals . He says two Gospels do n't mention Christmas tale and two others do n't get stories straight . Parini : Christmas a melange of ancient and meaningful practices .