Blanche wrote:

What about the winter equinox earlier this week?

That's really what we all are celebrating, regardless of what we call it. As
nearly as anyone can tell, Christ was actually born sometime in August, and his
birth was originally celebrated then (though the early church didn't put much
emphasis on that holiday - Easter was the biggie). Christmas was moved to late
December in the third century. The Romans persecution was at its height, and the
church wanted the congregation to appear to be celebrating the Roman holidays
just like everyone else.

George Patterson
The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.