IN response to Jean Frost's letter about Christian values and bringing these Christian values back into Christmas (Right to speak out for values, Letters, November 16), can I make a number of points?

I'd like to know on what grounds she feels Christianity has any right to claim Christmas. The fact the Christian faith hijacked an already ongoing festival is not grounds to forget the true source of Christmas.

The major base of the festival we celebrate on December 25 is to be found in paganism, not Christianity. In paganism there was a celebration in midwinter celebrating the rebirth of the sun (not son), this festival took place on December 25.

Even when one looks at the abbreviation we use for Christmas (Xmas) we can see the pagan roots of the festival; in the early Roman calendar December was the tenth month of the year, with Xmas meaning "Mass of the tenth month", when Saturnalia was celebrated.

The birth date of Jesus Christ, far from being December 25, was actually not known. Even the Gospels couldn't specify his birth date, and it was AD273 before the Christian church even attempted to set a birth date for him.

Jean Frost must be challenged on her concept that criminality and antisocial behaviour is somehow a tenet of the modern world, and only exists due to the erosion of Christian values in society. Is she trying to suggest that only Christians can be lawful and moralistic? Is she really trying to suggest that bad behaviour didn't exist in her mythical bygone days of a vibrant Christian society. Come on Mrs Frost, join the real world.

M J Ellis Gormier Avenue, York.