NEIL MacGREGOR, known as the David Attenborough of Things since his History of the World in 100 Objects and specifically of Religious Things since his Living with the Gods, said in an interview that the popularity of Christmas is indeed proof that Christianity still infuses the culture. All that giving and goodwill.

True up to a point. But the problem with secular society appropriating a Christian festival is that it ends up spoiling it. And yes, boring people, Christianity did itself co-opt the winter solstice, observed by pagans, as the time to celebrate the Nativity of the Lord, though the date of 25 December was never the focal point of pagan festivities, including the Roman festival of Saturnalia.