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 23, 2003

Profiles in Providence #4

Philippians - Profiles in Providence - Florida 2008

Listen

Phi 1:27-30 can be summarized: (1) We ought to live as heavenly citizens. Philippi was a Roman colony -- benefits and privileges. (2) Steadfastness is the mark of a good soldier. (3) United effort in the battle is our charge. (4) Be convicted in the cause of Christ. (4) Affliction is the honor of being in the arena. Ecc 1:15 speaks of the crooked stick -- an afliction, bad experience or situation from God you cannot remove or change, designed to teach you a lesson (2Co 12:9, Heb 11:34). In Phi 2:1 "If" is a first class condition -- since these things are true "fulfill my joy by being like-minded" - motivated by the same goal to glorify Christ (Phi 2:2-4). Our basis for unity (Phi 2:1) - our position in Christ, the power of love, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and mercy expressed to others. Let is the passive imperative (Phi 2:3, Phi 2:5, Col 3:15-16) -- we don't have the power, but we can let it be done to us -- God waits for us to let him (Isa 30:18). Jesus, equal with God, stepped down from heaven, and came in the form of a slave (Phi 2:5-8). We know what we should do but don't do it. God always does what He said He would do (1Pe 5:6, Jam 4:10, Psa 90:12). The name of Jesus is above all (Act 4:12). "beloved" means the same love God has for the Son (Eph 1:6, Phi 2:12). "Work out your own salvation (deliverance from shame - 1Co 3:9, Phi 2:12-13)" We are here to be lights in a dark world (Phi 2:14-15).

Conference notes for this series can be found [HERE]

Scripture References: Philippians 2:5-8, Philippians 2:12-13, Philippians 2:1, Isaiah 30:18, Philippians 2:12, Hebrews 11:34, Colossians 3:15-16, Ephesians 1:6, Ecclesiastes 1:15, Philippians 2:5, Acts 4:12, Philippians 1:27-30, Philippians 2:3, Psalms 90:12, Philippians 2:1, James 4:10, Philippians 2:14-15, Philippians 2:2-4