For many years the current holy day known as Christmas has been a double-edged sword for me. On one hand I despise its pagan origins; economic materialism; and the inordinate amount of time that professing Christian pastors devote to the story of the incarnation. On the other hand, I love many of the associated hymns and songs; the sheer delight of my children as they open presents; the scrumptious food and drink that my amazing wife makes; and the reminder that the one and only God of the universe became flesh and died for me and all his elect.