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 #8

Philippians - Profiles in Providence - Florida 2008

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Philippians are Paul's "joy and crown" (Phi 4:1). Five crowns possible as part of our rewards: (1) Imperishable crown (1Co 9:25); (2) Crown of life - abundant life in eternity (Jam 1:12, Rev 2:10); (3) Crown of Joy - witnessing crown (1Th 2:19, 1Pe 3:15); (4) Crown of Righteousness (2Ti 4:8) - finishing the race by what He does in us ; Crown of Glory (1Pe 5:4) - ministry crown. "Content" means sufficiency borrowed from Greek stoics (Phi 4:11-13). 3 steps to contentment: (1) "I have learned" - discipleship (Phi 4:11); (2) "I know how" (Phi 4:12) - skill of wisdom - living life God's way; (3) "I can do all things" (Phi 4:13) - "can do" (the power of God) "strengthening" our lives (giving us ability). (Ecc 10:10). A sharp axe is wisdom.

Conference notes for this series can be found [HERE]

Scripture References: James 1:12, Ecclesiastes 10:10, Philippians 4:1, Philippians 4:13, Philippians 4:12, Philippians 4:11, Philippians 4:11-13, Revelation 2:10