It seems inevitable that we argue about the birth of Christ especially at this time of year. Do you, Don't you believe, etc., etc.

Elsewhere on the internet I came across an argument that the winter solstice was a real event and that it was the only real event. So I got thinking....

I'm not going to enter any argument on belief except point out that your original statement that 'solstice' was the only 'real event'. That is an interesting point but must be based on similar so-called biblical 'facts' as is the notion of the birth of Christ the redeemer. It makes certain assumption reference absolute truth. However, absolute truth is probably, if not definitely, unobtainable.

What you actually refer to is a relative truth. I.e. that the Earth revolves around the Sun once a year, etc. and makes the assumption that the Sun remains in a static position and that the earth does likewise, except that it revolves around the sun on a single trajectory.

As the universe is constantly expanding then the sun's position must automatically change with reference to the other bodies in the universe including the earth. Therefore the trajectory of the earth can only be relative to the sun at any one point in time and the relative positions of the two bodies must in fact be infinitely different.

The 'fact' that the sun appears to be lower in the northern hemisphere's sky at the winter solstice can thus only be considered relative to the positions of the different bodies and therefore can be a relative truth only.

Most of my life I spent at ground level and was unaware of the solstice, etc. I just knew that the sun set in different places throughout the year.

About 6 years ago I took on a flat in central London and was, during a two year period that the sun will set over certain parts of London at different times of the year. Not rocket science of course. the difference was that it was I that noticed it after 40 years of not seeing or not caring to see this phenomenon.

For instance on or about the 19th September every year, the sun will go down at the very point that Centre Point is visible from the 10th floor window of my then flat.

It was quite a magical sight and I will remember that for a very long time (depending on what time I have left on earth). Certainly the second year I was there I purposely stayed around at sunset to see it repeated!!

Now I guess this is only mildly interesting but it does present us with an alternative view of solstice, namely, that solstice was important only to peoples that live on mountainsides, hills, etc. (one could also argue for an extinct race of very tall people I suppose, but I will not without proof of existence).

It might also be noted that many so-called sites of worship are either naturally high up or have some form of mound from which to make observations of sunsets/rises.

Of course if I had not taken that exact flat on at that height I would never have known that but I may have observed instead a different phenomena from a different viewpoint. nevertheless this relative truth will always remain with me.

As for the relativity of Christmas I have no answers but I know that the truth of the bible story can never be an absolute truth and must remain just as uncertain.