I think that it is also valuable to remember that to people living in the northern hemisphere Christmas comes precisely when it is most needed and represents both the Son and the saint properly if not "correctly".
The solstice represents the promise of longer days and new crops just as Christ's birth was the promise of salvation, the following equinox represents the fact that winter has passed and life continues - hence Christmas represents the promise at the darkest & dreariest time while Easter really does highlight rebirth.
I'd be more than happy to see more emphasis on religious roots of both days; I don't need magic bunny rabbits & bogus sale prices on stuff I'd never buy otherwise, but I/We do need some cheer and hope in the dead of winter.
Quote-But, given that the dominant calendar throughout recent centuries is far more attuned to human activity...
That is what makes Daniel 7:25 prophecy so relevant.
Something out of the 4th Kingdom/beast would change times and laws in Daniel 7.
many scholars list those 4 as follows-
1.Babylon
2.Medes/Persia
3.Greece
4.Rome
The world setting its work and worship schedule today on a Roman calendar , named after a Pope (Pope Gregory), would have perked up the ears of the very first protestant reformers.
They were unafraid to call the Roman Catholic papacy, the seat of antichrist. And called popes, antichrist.
That was before Rome had the Pope Gregory calendar. They would have called it antichrist’s calendar, if one is to accept their premise.
The world setting its work and worship schedule on antichrist calendar?
That would scream Daniel 7 and Revelation 13.
And not by the tip of the sword, but willingly.. And not after the church is gone from here but while the church is still here and maybe because it is.
I don’t expect people to see it unless they first stop being conformed to the world, just as paul warned in Romans. So subtle but that is exactly how the enemy works.
How does Satan deceive the whole world? One way is to tell them what ‘day’ it is, and have all the powers and principalities in the world accept it.
He led me away from accepting the babel powers and principalities word for anything.. All for His Glory!
Truly eye opening...and a minority for sure!