Priest and sceptic go head-to-head on the meaning of Christmas

At this time of year, with all the hustle and bustle, it's easy to forget about the true meaning of the Yuletide season.

It's a season that's supposed to be about friendship and family, and for Christians, the story of the nativity.

So how better to canvas the reason for the season than with a priest and a sceptic in a Christchurch pub.

Father Alister Castillo, a Christchurch priest, and Russell Tomes from the New Zealand Sceptic Society, debated the topic on TVNZ1's Seven Sharp.

For their debate, watch the video above.