If Christmas is pagan, should Christians be involved?

Should Christians get involved in supporting or celebrating Christmas? Have you ever heard that argument? Why in the world would Christians want to get involved in something that was really a “pagan holiday,” that we the Church co-opted? So for those critics, I have three points.
Number one: Do you give your kids birthday gifts? You celebrate your kids birthdays, why not celebrate the birth of the Savior? If we’re not going to do it now, when would you decide to do it? That would be a question.
Secondly, in 1st Corinthians 9:22, Paul says, “I became all things to all men, that by all means I may win some.” I can’t think of a time, and I doubt that you could think of a time in the year when there is more focus on the birth of Jesus Christ. Once a year, the world is confronted with the reality of His coming. And I think that’s great!
The third point is in Matthew 16:18,where Jesus said, “On this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” The idea is not that we are holding out against the world. The idea is that we are assaulting a world and they cannot overwhelm us. They cannot withstand the assault of the Church. The very fact that you and I are here, 2000 years after the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, is evidence of that. The world has done everything it can to squash the message, destroy the Word, and intimidate believers. Yet, all around the world today there are those who are singing praise, spreading the Word and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. So, if we co-opt or take over Christmas, that’s what we’re supposed to do. We’re supposed to seize the gates of the enemy. This is why we’re here and why this season is so important.

Gene Cunningham - May 23, 2000

Living Sacrifice 37

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A believer who lives expectantly has hope; Blessed Hope (Tit 2:13), Living Hope (2Pe 1:3-4), Purifying Hope (1Jo 3:3). "hagnizo" - progressive growth and refining that we do not make happen, but by living in the hope. Hope has power to change our attitude (e.g. Mat 5); we'll live differently. We'll live as the man that found "the pearl of great price" (Mat 13:46). We're purified by focusing on the prize, not the things that entangle (i.e. expectation). Hope can purify us (2Pe1:2-4). God's grace is multiplied to a believer who goes beyond knowledge ("epignosis" -- 2Pe 1:2), namely, implements the life God offers. We don't have the discipline to overcome the things that distract us, but the power is available through expectation -- purifying hope. All hope in this life disappoints (money, sex, power) our hope needs fixing elsewhere. "Hope deferred makes the heart sick... (Pro 13:12) -- all hope in this life disappoints. "Everything pertaining to life and godliness..." (2Pe 1:3) is Christ living in a through us. We must reach out and claim a promise in the word of God (2Pe 1:4). You can't earn eternal rewards or blessings, but we can lose it (Rev 3:11, Eph 1:3). Criteria is " ... to all who have loved His appearing." (Tit 2:13). "...Glory and virtue ..." (2Pe 1:3, Joh 1:14) refers to God's essence. The promises are "great and excellent..". When we let Chist take His throne we are a witness -- giving a reason for our hope (1Pe 3:15). "...having escaped the corruption that is in this world through lust" (2Pet 1:4). We've already escaped -- it's not our struggle. In the life of those great are illustrations of the power of expectation. If we have hope our soul is secure (Heb 6:16-20, Heb 7:6). Real life begins in eternity. Faith is the foundation for hope (Heb 11:1, Heb 11:6). Hope is the one thing all those listed had in common (Heb 11:13); their faith instilled in them hope. Abraham, Joseph, Moses all illustrate hope. (Rom 8:23)

Scripture References: Hebrews 7:6, Matthew 13:46, Hebrews 6:16-20, John 3:3, John 1:14, Romans 8:23, Titus 2:13, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 11:13, Ephesians 1:3, Hebrews 11:6, Revelation 3:11, Hebrews 11:1, Proverbs 13:12