rituals of the native people. Leafy greens, young corn, fresh fruit, and ice cream often accompany to the roast, which is sometimes prepared whole on a spit when the feast is a village affair.

　　Adding further to this seeming calendar of confusion, no one knows the exact date of Christ's birth, which, Santa Claus aside, is the basis for the Christmas celebration. For over 300 years it was a movable feast since early Christians tended to celebrate Christmas in conjunction with Hanukkah, attempting to mesh the old Julian and Hebrew calendars.

　　Pope Julius I set the December 25 date on or about 336 ad in an effort to provide continuity from year to year and to counterbalance the various pre Christian festivals in competition with the spread of Catholicism. Although many of the Orthodox or Eastern Rite Christian churches have celebrated Christmas on December 25 since the middle of the fifth century, some chose to keep their festivities on the traditional date of January 6 or 7, known also as the Epiphany.

　　Whatever the date or the practices associated with it, Christmas continues to be the most universally celebrated holiday around the globe, transcending language, culture, and even religious beliefs. Regardless of your reason to celebrate the season, I hope you find the spirit behind the holiday every day of the year!