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 - October 26, 2003

Psalm 6 - A Cry For Mercy

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Waiting for the Messiah is a time of suffering. David expresses repentance in Psalm 6, 32 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143. Outline: (1) Cry for mercy (Psa 6:1-3, Heb 10:10); (2) Abandonment (Psa 6:4-6); (3) Assurance of prayer effectiveness (Psa 6:7-10). David pleads with God that He not chasten him in anger. We may feel this way, but God only disciplines in love (Heb 12:5-6, Job 3:13-19). Fear has an effect on the body (Psa 6:2-3). In Psa 6:4 David asks to be delivered based on His promises (Exo 34:7-8, Heb 13:5-6). In Psa 6:5 David calls on God with rationale that death would diminish God's glory. David expresses tremendous grief (Psa 6:6-7). The Holy Spirit comforts us and we have peace if we trust His promises (Psa 6:8-9, 1Jo 5:14-15, Psa 50:15, Rom 10:13). David asks that enemies be put to shame, that they be defeated (2Th 1:6-8). Deliverance of the believer is the destruction of the unbeliever (Psa 6:10). God's disciple is (a) motivated by love, (b) is only for His children, (c) will increase if it's despised or taken lightly, (d) is to be submitted to with hope, and (e) will result in purification (Heb 12:5-11).

Scripture References: Hebrews 12:5-11, Hebrews 12:5-6, Psalms 6:5, Psalms 6:10, Psalms 6:7-10, Hebrews 13:5-6, Romans 10:13, Psalms 6:4-6, Exodus 34:7-8, Psalms 50:15, Hebrews 10:10, Psalms 6:4, John 5:14-15, Psalms 6:1-3, Psalms 6:2-3, Psalms 6:8-9, Job 3:13-19, Psalms 6:6-7