the catholic church has never shied away from the fact it coopted beloved pagan traditions, it's part of our history. these traditons were reinterpreted in a christian light and absorbed into christianity specifically because they helped the pagans understand what christianity is. would you understand a new metaphysical concept better if someone just droned on and on to you, or if they said "look at this thing you're familiar with; now imagine x represents y instead."? the christianization of scandinavia may have actually been the most peaceful theater of it in history. obviously using people's own traditions to help them understand what you're saying better works.
United States