What does Christmas "Look Like"?

In the songs "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" and "I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas" (and many others I'm sure) we are led to believe that it is supposed to be snowing or at least snow on the ground for Christmas. Apparently, that is the traditional image of Christmas.

I wonder where this image came from. since the average temperature in December in Jerusalem, Israel (which Marie tells me is 6 miles from Bethlehem) is 57 degrees Farenheit. The coldest month there is January, which averages 53 degrees.

I have done the research, and yes, it does occasionally snow there, but these are usually very rare, and spread out over years (Feb 25, 2003, Jan 12, 1998, etc.) But certainly not a place where people should think of visions of a snow squall (or even a flurry) at the time Christ was supposed to be born. (This may be the topic for another blog entry but Christ probably wasn't born on Dec 25, 0000. Scholars argue it was probably another date in either 4 or 6 BCE and numerous discussions have been have whether it is September 11, Jan 6, or any number of dates. December 25 was around the time of the Jewish celebration of the miracle of light, was the time of an ancient pagan Roman holiday, and was also regarded as the birth date of the Iranian mystery god, the Sun of Righteousness. Early Christians apparently didn't want to be left out.

I like snow but I'm not religiously attached to it on any specifc date. Especially when most people are driving that day. Click here to see previous entry on driving and snow.