Ah, but the birth has a lot of significane, Fell. I've wondered where our priorities have been when we make a much bigger deal out of Christmas than we do Easter for several years now. (note that Easter is ALSO moved to a formerly pagan holiday, so if you're going to level that charge at Christmas, don't say we should turn to Easter instead)
But when I look at the great spiritual leaders who also make this big deal out of Christmas (the conference center and tabernacle are decorated, for example, on Christmas but not so much for Easter), and I recognize the spirit that is felt among the fairthful, and the general goodwill that comes out, I can't think that making a big deal out of Christmas is a bad thing. After all, the birth of Christ was celebrated by choirs of angels appearing in the sky and singing. There's no such equivelent for the resurrection. Thing is, the birth of Christ was a confirmation that the promises made to the spiritual for thousands of years were finally being fulfilled.
I agree, the resurrection/atonement directly affects me much more closely, but there's no problem with celebrating his birth, since the reason we do is because he's the one who made those things happen.
On the other hand, I don't have the big problem with the whole commercial hoopla. It makes a lot of people feel good and it's good for the economy. Who can begrudge that?
I do dislike that poem/essay thing too, fell, but rather than make me violent, it makes me laugh. It's funny the efforts people go through to legitimize their position.