Actually, there aren't any religions that are known that celebrate the winter solstice three days after it occurs, which is on the night of December 21/22. It's a myth that Christianity adopted a pagan holiday for Jesus' birth, the date of December 25 for his birth is recorded in writings dating back to within one generation of the time of the Apostles.
Roman Catholicism was formed by the bishops of Rome long before the time of Constantine. He actually played only a minimal role in helping the churches settle two doctrinal disputes that arose in the church in the early 4th century by calling a council of all the bishops of all the churches throughout the Roman Empire (basically the world) and witnessed the debate on the issues of the divinity of Jesus as well as settling the controversy about the time to observe Easter. But the decisions were made by the bishops, not by Constantine.
It is a matter of choice of course. My only concern is that those choices not be made based on error or arguments that have no credible evidence to support them. Well, it's not my only concern. I am also concerned that the reputation of Christians from the 4th century is being wrongly tarnished as they are often accused of having mixed paganism with Christianity in order to make the faith "more palatable" to pagans, but my study of the documents and writings shows a very different story. But through it all, my goal and purpose is to worship as Jesus said, "in spirit and in truth."
Congratulations, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!
In Christ,
Pilgrimer
Roman Catholicism was formed by the bishops of Rome long before the time of Constantine. He actually played only a minimal role in helping the churches settle two doctrinal disputes that arose in the church in the early 4th century by calling a council of all the bishops of all the churches throughout the Roman Empire (basically the world) and witnessed the debate on the issues of the divinity of Jesus as well as settling the controversy about the time to observe Easter. But the decisions were made by the bishops, not by Constantine.
It is a matter of choice of course. My only concern is that those choices not be made based on error or arguments that have no credible evidence to support them. Well, it's not my only concern. I am also concerned that the reputation of Christians from the 4th century is being wrongly tarnished as they are often accused of having mixed paganism with Christianity in order to make the faith "more palatable" to pagans, but my study of the documents and writings shows a very different story. But through it all, my goal and purpose is to worship as Jesus said, "in spirit and in truth."
Congratulations, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!
In Christ,
Pilgrimer
Keep up your progress and thanks for your response.