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 - April 8, 2000

Simplicity in Christ #8

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The Simplicity of Inner Purity

The Lord warns of things that take up time and energy (Luk 21:29-36). One day we'll stand in His presence with confidence or shame. We enter eternal life by faith because He paid the penalty for our sins on the cross. Daily deliverance from our problems is in view in Mat 5:1-48. Simplicity is not necessarily easy, but has focus. We are so distractable. Mat 5:8 — "the pure in heart ...will see God" doesn't refer to eternity, but daily life. When did God last answer your prayer? There is an interaction with the Lord in daily life (Joh 14:21, 1Jo 1:3-4). Where is your life and attention focused? (Mat 6:19-23). "If your eye is good" — good means "single" (Mat 6:22). If you loose clarity or focus, we loose the sense of His prence and power. He should be more real than the circumstances and people around you. "Persue peace with all men" — the real issue is how do I see men through the eyes of Jesus Christ, not how they treat you (Heb 12:14, Rom 12:18). The double-minded man doesn't have an abundant life because of a lack of spiritual focus (Jam 1:7-8, Jam 4:8). Until we have spiritual focus, we won't "see the Lord" (Heb 12:14-15). We live in a bitter world. We carry wrongs in our heart and defile other people (Heb 12:15). "Martha was destracted with much serving" and "Mary has chosen the good part" (Luk 10:38-42). Simplicity is the one thing Mary sought and Martha lost. Mary gained a reward "that will not be taken from her". You can have everything, but not the "one thing" (Mark 10:17-27). The purpose Christ lays hold of us is the prize — His pleasure (Phi 3:7-14).

Scripture References: John 1:3-4, James 4:8, John 14:21, James 1:7-8, Philippians 3:7-14, Matthew 5:8, Romans 12:18, Mark 10:17-27, Matthew 5:1-48, Hebrews 12:14, Luke 10:38-42, Luke 21:29-36, Matthew 6:22, Hebrews 12:15, Matthew 6:19-23, Hebrews 12:14-15