Actually I think chasid-of-Hashem was correct when he mentioned that January 1st celebrated the circumcision of jesus, since this was indeed the case (this was changed in the 1960’s). Joseph and jphone mentioned that x-mas was celebrated in December to coincide with the pagan solstice. One might wonder, then, why x-mas would be celebrated 12/25 when the solstice occurs 12/22. Perhaps this adjustment was made so that the January 1st holiday, which was already celebrated as the Roman New Year, would occur a week after x-mas and could then be celebrated as the circumcision also.
jphone, why would someone avoid purchasing a Volvo?