A very interesting post. The winter solstice had always had a significance both in monotheistic and polytheistic societies. Even in a secular environment the effect of the dark short days on our physiology and psychology is hard to deny. The return of longer days is an event worth celebrating in any context.

About the orthodox churches: Not all of them follow the Julian calendar. Bulgarian, Greek and Cypriot churches celebrate Christmas on the 25th, following the gregorian calendar.