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 28, 2010

Ephesians #3

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No where in the New Testament is election spoken of in the singular. He chose "us" before the founding of the world. Israel is chosen via Abraham nationally and racially. Chapters cover: 1) Privilege; 2) Potential; 3) Power; 4) Progress; 5) Production; 6) Panoply (armor). We are a family (Eph 3:14-15). We are a unique people and age; we have more privilege and potential than ever before. God planned the work ahead of time (Eph 1:5). He chose us then blessed us. The Son revealed, redeemed, then reconciled us. The Spirit is regeneration (new birth Tit 3:5), sealing (assurance), then opens our eyes through instruction. "Fullness of time" is the unique period of history called dispensation of the Grace of God, the climax of God's plan (Eph 1:10). Christ is the source of "fullness". As we draw on the fullness of Christ, we bring Him fulfillment in the sense of enjoyment (Eph 1:22-23, 1Pe 1:12). The content of fullness (Eph 3:6-19); this is the meaning of the "filling" of the spirit. There's a means to the filling of the Spirit involved (Eph 4:10); this involves spiritual gifts. Philosophy or religion must be consistent, coherent, correlation. Knowledge (Greek gnosis) refers to perception; wisdom is more practical; understanding is residual knowledge. He has created a new man combining the believing Jew and Gentile (Eph 2:15, Gen 1:26-27, 2Co 5:17).

Conference notes for this series can be found [HERE]

Scripture References: Genesis 1:26-27, Ephesians 1:5, Ephesians 2:15, Ephesians 3:14-15, Ephesians 4:10, Ephesians 3:6-19, Ephesians 1:22-23, Ephesians 1:10, Titus 3:5