I'm sorry if this is asked a ton on this sub, but I have a question regarding Christian holidays.
I know the origin of Christmas was an emperor trying to use the date of a Pagan holiday in order to make it easier to transition to a fully Christian populace.
My main question is Easter. Was this also in accordance to a Pagan holiday? Any in-depth answer to the origins of both would be greatly appreciated! Much love guys.
Planisphere
Why do people keep thinking they know that Christmas was placed on this day to co-opt a pagan festival? This is very far from established fact it's possible, but unproven.
Saturnalia is earlier than Christmas. This leaves only the Sol Invictus celebration on 25 Dec. The earliest attestation for that celebration is likewise the earliest attestation for Christmas on 25th Dec. So there is no better evidence that Christmas was placed on that date to take over from Sol Invictus than vice versa.
Personally, I'm more persuadd by the conpex dating that suggests Jesus was conceived on the date of his death (well, thought to be conceived) and so Christmas was placed in accord with that calculation.
The argument that Christmas originated to coopt pagan celebrations only emerges in the 18th century (maybe 17th, I'm away from my desk); one would have thought early critics of Christians might have pointed this fact out.
As for easter, its date is tied to the Passover, and thus to the lunar calendar. That's why it's a moveable date.