I know that it must be a big hassle for some of the Christian Pittsburghers to deal with Sparkle Season Downtown. I mean, if their own closed-mindedness leads them to believe that they are the only people who celebrate during this time of year, I imagine that they would be upset.

What is wrong with separating church and state? I think I read somewhere that that was one of the beliefs that our country was founded upon. It is not as if you have to say, "Merry Sparkle Season" in your own home.

And as far as Sparkle Season only existing because of Christ's birthday, there is no proof that Jesus Christ was even born on Dec. 25. The only reason Christmas is celebrated at this time of year is that when the Christians conquered (as so often they did) certain groups of pagans, they incorporated pagan rituals into their own.

The festival of Yule is the feast of the winter solstice and marks both the longest night of the year and the cele! bration of the sun's return. The peaceful pagans celebrated with holly and mistletoe and gifts were given out by the king to his subjects. The next time you light "Christmas" candles or decorate with red, green, or white, you are doing the same celebratory rituals that were done long before Christmas was dreamed up.