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 - February 2, 2003

1st Peter #7

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Study sheet . "Sprinkling the blood" happens around us as we surrender, minister in obedience as a priest to others around us (1Pe 1:2). 1 Peter was written by Silvanus (1Pe 5:12). Be a follower of "the good" without fear (1Pe 3:11-22, 1Pe 2:21, Psa 56:3). Key verse (1Pe 3:15). 5 facets of suffering: (1) various trials - general irritations, mocking, temptations; (2) "suffering unjustly" (1Pe 2:19) - no real reason; (3) suffering for righteousness (1Pe 3:14); (4) sharing Christ's suffering (1Pe 4:13); (5) Satanic attack (1Pe 5:8-10). Our greatest danger is fear and deception -"fall from steadfastness" (2Pe 3:17-18). If —and Peter wishes it is true— you become a "follower of the good", then you'll "suffer for righteousness" and should be happy (1Pe 3:13-14). "Sanctify the Lord in your hearts" means to put God in His rightful place (1Pe 3:15). "Good conscience" comes from being cleansed (1Pe 3:16-18, Heb 9:14, Heb 10:22). Victorious proclamation Jesus made to prisoners bound (1Pe 3:19-20, 1Pe 1:11, 2Pe 2:4, Jude 1:6). An anti-type of baptism: Noah built the ark, got in and God sealed the door, then judged the earth - a picture of the rapture (Gen 7:16, 1Pe 3:20). After the judgment, the ark comes back. Christ is "The Ark", and we are saved because we are sealed united with Christ (1Co 12:13). All believers go home at the rapture (1Th 5:9-10, Rev 12:5, Tit 2:13). "Arm yourselves with the same mind" (1Pe 4:1-4, Eph 6:10-18) to have victory over your entangling sins (2Co 5:15).

Conference notes for this series can be found [HERE]

Scripture References: Ephesians 6:10-18, Psalms 56:3, Titus 2:13, Revelation 12:5, Genesis 7:16, Jude 2:4, Hebrews 10:22, Hebrews 9:14