Same reason Pine trees are used to celebrate a birth in the desert… Or bunnies laid eggs to celebrate his resurrection…
When Europe was converted, the only thing that matters is when asked “are you Christian?” Europeans replied “yes”.
So whatever Pagans were doing, was co-opted into Christianity.
And that included not just their rituals and objects of worship, but their holy sites as well.
Past gods became saints, and often the main change to worship sites was a cross was erected in the middle.
After decades and generations went by, church officials moved in and slowly started indoctrination on the youth, and as each generation grew up, the pagans ties were slowly eroded.
Same reason Pine trees are used to celebrate a birth in the desert… Or bunnies laid eggs to celebrate his resurrection…
When Europe was converted, the only thing that matters is when asked “are you Christian?” Europeans replied “yes”.
So whatever Pagans were doing, was co-opted into Christianity.
And that included not just their rituals and objects of worship, but their holy sites as well.
Past gods became saints, and often the main change to worship sites was a cross was erected in the middle.
After decades and generations went by, church officials moved in and slowly started indoctrination on the youth, and as each generation grew up, the pagans ties were slowly eroded.
After centuries, no one questions it.
It was a long game.
Also why they celebrate the birth of Jesus around the winter solstice. Surprise, those pagan rites were all about the church this whole time!