Keep Sol Invictus in Christmas

There is a documentary on the pagan origins of Christmas and its customary celebration on one of the streaming services, and I watched it with some interest last night.  I know those origins fairly well, but wonder if those who insist that we "Keep Christ in Christmas" know that, in fact, Christ is a relatively new addition to the celebrations which have taken place around the Winter Solstice for many thousands of years.

As is appropriate for a religion which borrowed so extensively from pagan philosophy and ancient pagan mystery religions, the "Christian" traditions of Christmas have their basis likewise in pagan culture; the Roman Saturnalia and northern European traditions of the Yule in particular.  Gift-giving, feasting, bonfires, lit evergreen trees, wreaths of ivy and holly; all of these had their origin in pagan celebrations related to the solstice and the return of the light of the unconqueable sun, triumphing over darkness each year.

There is nothing in Scripture indicating when Jesus was born, and the early Church simply, and I think wisely, chose to celebrate it on the date already selected and celebrated as the birthday of Sol Invictus and Mithras as well as other deities--December 25th. The peculiar census which supposedly required all to return to the place of their birth (an absurdity) was fabricated as well in order to arrange for Jesus' birth in Bethlehem to comport in prohecy--why not that as well, since the Church was, in a way, making a story? In this fashion the church was able to allow popular ancient pagan rituals and celebrations to continue while substituting a Christian narrative.

But Chist as the new light of the Winter Solstice plainly was not enough  and thus the complaints regarding his absence from the season.  But this shouldn't be surprising.  It's difficult to reconcile a religion which condemns this life and glorifies one which is said to come after it with the celebration of life as we wish to live it here; a life affirming festival.  

The grim, bleak Christianity imposed during the reign of Oliver Cromwell prohibited the celebration of Christmas.  In fact, celebrations of any kind. That seems more consistent with the teaching of Jesus that we should give up our families and lives and follow him.