as you apparently have no sources to cite for "pagan solar holidays" 
In Old English, Gēola (Yule)
referred to the period corresponding to December and January
which was eventually equated with Christian Christmas
In the 17th century, Isaac Newton argued
that the date of Christmas was selected to correspond with the solstice
I have read his discussion on Daniel which I recommend for a criticism and parody of Catholicism, but not for his prophecies speculation. It does not strike me that the pope is the antichrist of the 1260 days and that he will be put down in 40 years. (Isaac Newton like the later Millerites follows the day for year approach of 1260 years instead of 3 1/2)
He shows how many other dates were picked for the tropical ingresses, there is a special Catholic feast around 25 of every month. I myself have made much more discoveries in this area.
If I have time I may show how the feast of saint George agree with the summer and of Saint Demetrius with the winter, but of course not the tropical ones, but the Greek ones, this being of the east. In fact around these lands they say one controls the summer and the other - the winter. They are of Twins Solar myths - one on a white horse, the other on a brown - as are the Ashvins of India. Horsemen are phallic gods, as is the Sun usually.
Tropical Taurus and Scorpio ingresses are their feasts, the George is the brighter of course. April 23 and October 26 - Julian Old Calendar - May 6 and November 8. There are schisms of the east around the question of the calendar - the Catholics and the Jesuitical clergy of the east want the new calendar, but the core of the Orthodoxy - keep the old calendar. The battle strikes me as astrological as much as religious. The unmercenary Cosmas and Damian of Rome are also of this sort, there is a well known case in Italy of phallic offerings and in the east, they are patrons of sorcerers - as is Cancer indicative according to Ptolemy.
Of course the Christian holidays make no sense for the lands to the far south. September 23 - the fall equinox is the conception of the Baptist and June 24 - nativity. For it is written - ''He must increase, but I must decrease.'' - John 3:30
