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 24, 2010

Beauty for Ashes #6

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The picture of a "Oak of righteousness" is spiritual maturity (Isa 61:2). The comfort of God always comes, but not as we expect. We are over-comers; we master though cannot control/change their circumstances (Joh 14:12-15). We won't pray effectively without the Spirit (1Jo 5:14-15, Rom 8:26). We need the Helper to pray effectively and to be obedient (Joh 14:15, Joh 6:63). He will come and be with us forever (Joh 14:16-17). A believer can set his "mind on the flesh", but not be "in the flesh" (Rom 8:8-11). The greatest promise: Christ will be evident to those who love him — to the degree we are obedient (Joh 14:19-21). It matters how we live. We make our home with Jesus and He makes His with us (Joh 14:22-23). Later Jesus refers to this as "abide" in chapter 15. We are not to compare ourselves (2Co 10:12-18). When the Comforter/ Helper comes we are witnesses (Joh 16:7-11). Every believer should be a disciple and disciple-maker (Joh 15:26-27). Sin, righteousness and judgement are the issues in the Gospel, because that's what the Spirit convicts unbelievers of (Joh 16:12-13). "unveiled" means the veil is gone forever — we have no excuse (2Co 3:16-18). We will be transformed from Christ's Glory to reflected glory as we behold in the mirror of the Word (which shows Jesus Christ).