Just because peace on Earh is unobtainable doesn't make its pursuit any less laudable. We strive to realize our ideals and, hopefully, become better people for it. If nothing else, Christmas is a good reminder of that.
I agree with the first sentence. I partially agree with the second. I mostly disagree with the third.
Hard to separate them. I'm not sure what holiday is better suited to remind us to work for what no human alone can ever achieve (maybe Easter...?), and if it's an ideal we can't achieve alone, coming as close as possible makes us better than we otherwise would be (or, maybe, just possibly maybe, helps us understand that not everything is about us, another excellent Christmas lesson). If it doesn't, what constructive result could there be to chasing a dream we can never obtain?
As for which came first, perhaps that's a discussion for another time; suffice it to say I disagree on the grounds that it depends on perspective. 

I. . . .
Thereby hangs the tale, perhaps, but let's not blame that on the holiday, eh...?

Honorbound and honored to be Bonded to Mahtaliel Sedai
Last First in wotmania Chat
Slightly better than chocolate.
Love still can't be coerced.
Please Don't Eat the Newbies!
LoL. Be well, RAFOlk.
Last First in wotmania Chat
Slightly better than chocolate.
Love still can't be coerced.
Please Don't Eat the Newbies!

LoL. Be well, RAFOlk.
This message last edited by Joel on 25/12/2010 at 06:20:11 PM
For the record: Bah, Humbug!
22/12/2010 05:42:47 AM
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Does that include this post...?
22/12/2010 07:13:31 AM
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Re: Does that include this post...?
22/12/2010 05:30:50 PM
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So that would be a "no" then.
22/12/2010 05:52:01 PM
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No, I hate my post, too.
23/12/2010 05:08:46 PM
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Well, at least you're consistent.
23/12/2010 08:49:34 PM
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I'm sick and tired of Ebenezer Scrooge being continuously slandered!
22/12/2010 07:38:18 AM
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I'm open to suggestions.
22/12/2010 05:33:26 PM
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Burgermeister Meisterburger. *NM*
22/12/2010 10:52:18 PM
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I reject that one. *NM*
23/12/2010 05:09:55 PM
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Funny, it seems like a perfect fit... *NM*
23/12/2010 06:52:21 PM
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How, exactly? *NM*
24/12/2010 05:11:05 PM
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Um, he disliked all things Christmas?
24/12/2010 05:20:41 PM
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Ah. I've never heard of this fellow. That's why I asked. So, where do I find him? *NM*
25/12/2010 05:13:53 PM
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The classic Rankin/Bass Christmas Special "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town."
26/12/2010 06:59:26 AM
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Presumably he dropped the "bah, humbug".
22/12/2010 05:46:39 PM
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Re: Presumably he dropped the "bah, humbug".
22/12/2010 09:03:05 PM
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That's a reason to reclaim Christmas, not disown it.
23/12/2010 08:31:07 PM
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Humbugs? yes please
22/12/2010 09:19:53 PM
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Meh.
23/12/2010 08:51:23 PM
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Meh
27/12/2010 09:13:58 PM
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What, you'd rather it remained a Bronze Age pagan fertility rite?
27/12/2010 11:17:09 PM
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That's kinda funny because Christ wasn't born in December. Good one! *NM*
23/12/2010 01:53:37 AM
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Thanks, everyone (especially Joel) for letting me use you to light this post on fire.
26/12/2010 06:23:44 PM
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