To Everything There Is a Season

Christmas is a festive time—but lest we grow too festive, the Archbishop of Canterbury has taken the opportunity to remind us that many of the elements in the traditional Nativity story are mythical. Indeed, “Dr Williams concluded that Jesus was probably not born in December at all. He said: ‘Christmas was when it was because it fitted well with the winter festival.’ Dr Williams concluded that Jesus was probably not born in December at all.’ He said: ‘Christmas was when it was because it fitted well with the winter festival.’”

Probably so; it’s not like there’s anything new in all this. But one wonders what makes the archbishop so anxious to remind us of it at this time of year—instead of, well, the elements of the Christmas story that he does think are true.