Constantine and Roman paganism

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Contantine legalized the practice of Catholicism. His mother was a devout Catholic. If anything his acceptance and refusal to execute Christians led to the Christianization of many pagan practices.
His story is fascinating. Read it.
 
Libanius, a prominent anti-Christian teacher and writer who was on friendly terms with Julian the Apostate (reigned 361-363) accused Constantine of banning animal sacrifices to the gods. Whether or not Libanius was telling the truth―I’m not a historian and have no way of telling―the mere fact that the the accusation was made against him by a pagan writer tends to show that Constantine was no friend of the pagans.
 
josh987654321 said:
No.

Why is Christmas on December 25? | Catholic Answers

God Bless
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Thanks that clears up a bit.

But I’ve also heard historical/geographical theories:

in Luke 2:8 Sherpherds were out in the night.
In winter, the Bethlehem shepherds usually drive their flocks eastward to graze off the Judean wilderness where there is winter rain. and when summer comes the heat forces them back up the hills in the vicinity of Bethlehem. This is also the time after the Passover and Shavuot(Weeks) where the crops have been harvested [farmers won’t be happy for sheep to graze on their crops!] where sheep and goats can forage and also fertilize in the fields all summer, piror to the farmers sowing their fields in November. Also the shepherds were out “at night” according to Luke, a pleasant time to watch their flocks after the heat of a long summer day. but if it was winter then it’ll be a horribly cold time to be out. Hence the time mentioned in Luke 2:8 is likely to be summer or early autumn and not winter.

How do we respond to this?
 
Brittany said:
We don’t know Jesus’ actual birthday, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is what we celebrate, not when we celebrate it. Some people have birthday parties on days that are not their birthday, so it’s kind of like that.
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Agree with you absolutely, it doesn’t change my faith a bit.
I’m just interested from a historical point of view. It does seem likely that Jesus was not born in December according to achaeologists/historians that’s all.
 
The Church described in the Acts is very much an organized, visible Church. Have you read Acts 15? The apostles and elders convene a council and have their decisions brought to all of the local churches… it was organized and had a clear governing structure.
 
I like that it’s at a time when the night is longest and darkest. Quite fitting historically.

I think what you said could be true 🤔
 
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