We agree on the day. But over the course of 2000 years, one calendar that averages to 365.25 days per year, vs one that averages to 365.2425 days per year, and you're going to get some drift.
The latter is of course the one that is more astronomically accurate (there are 365.24219 24-hour days in one solar revolution).
Yes. But you're just moving the issue now. What day of this year more closely corresponds to the Annunciation? The one that is 365.25 X 2021, or the one that is 365.2425 X 2021?
Let me put it another way. We both believe Christ was born on December 25. That is, four days after the Winter Solstice. The Winter Solstice is an astronomically discernible day - the shortest day of the year.
So if Christ was born four days after the shortest day of Anno Domini 1, then would we not be more faithfully celebrating His birth in AD 2020 by celebrating it four days after the shortest day of Anno Domini 2020, rather than by celebrating it 17 days after the shortest day of Anno Domini 2020?
My honest opinion is that God is more concerned that the Faithful are of like mind with each other, and at peace, than whether the days of observance align with certain celestial events.
These are important, don’t get me wrong. At some point, for example, the Church agreed to move to a Solar, rather than Lunar, calendar. Mere obstructionism isn’t a Traditionally defensible position.
The Lord gave us these heavenly bodies for signs and seasons, not as excuses to fight with one another.
As you can imagine, I’ve had plenty of opportunities in my life to fight over calendars :)
EDIT: I forgot to tag anybody in this so I copypasted it into CHIRO’s comment.
(post is archived)