“As far as Christmas, the timing was related to the new year (since Joseph & Mary were traveling to Bethlehem as instructed to comply with the Roman census.”
The “new year” in Israel is Rosh Hashanah, which is (under our calendar) in September or sometimes October.
What we called the “new year” is a new invention.
The best arguments I’ve seen regarding the date of Christmas being correct relate to certain traditions about notable prophets dying some number of days after their birth date.
More likely dates (using the scriptures) place the accurate date for Christmas in the fall or spring due to shepards being out, etc, which also coincides with Rosh Hashana or the Feast of the Tabernacles, which are both, indeed, logical times for a census due to gathering of people at homes.
The symbolism of our Savior coming at either holiday is rather appropro, too.
That said, this is a hijack, and I think the idea that Easter is misdated is beyond stupid.
“The “new year” in Israel is Rosh Hashanah, which is (under our calendar) in September or sometimes October.”
I see; I was thinking along the ines of a Roman census, not a Jewish one - it was throughout the empire.
As far as the precise dates, if I was to find out that either celebration was not exactly correct, it would be irrelevant to me. There is no doubt in my mind that both events occurred, and nothing will convince me otherwise. Enough atheists have conceded the existence of Jesus Christ (though they have different interpretations of what that means).
Freegards!