Squeak: I don’t know what those Rebbes knew. It’s entirely possible they didn’t study the history of every single Minhag. What I do know is that this is clearly a pagan Christian Minhag. The evidence is more than overwhelming. I know when I’m willingly taking on everyone when I’m completely outgunned. This isn’t one of those cases.
And please, by all means say what you think. There is very, very little that I take personally.