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 - January 28, 2003

Hebrews 32

Listen

Heb 5:1-14

Jesus is our Mediator

Three Majestic qualities of Jesus

-Greatness of the Person (ch 1-7)

-Greatness of His work (ch 8-10)

-People of the High Priest (ch 11-13)

Heb 5:1-4

There are requirements to become a high priest. Each one is appointed by God. Our appointment came when we became believers (every believer is a priest 1PE 2:5-9, an ambassador 2CO 5:14-21, and have a ministry 1CO 12:4-7). Each one is oriented to his purpose, on behalf of men on things pertaining to God, leading his people in prayer as well as giving instruction. He has an obligation to identify with the people, to be able to deal gently. He had to be honest with God and himself, and compassionate toward others.

Jesus has to fulfill these qualifications. He is the perfect Mediator because He is God and Man - someone who is equal to both parties.

Heb 5:5-10

How is Jesus qualified to identify with the people? Job 9:32-33

He did not glorify Himself by claiming the High Priest position on His own.

Appointed=Divine ordination. He was ordained by God Himself PHI 2:5-11

Even in the miracles were performed in the power of the Spirit of God. He lived in total faith. Heb 2:14-15 heb 4:15 Jesus was made High Priest on resurrection day, He became something He wasn’t before. acts 13:33

His preparation for priesthood: why does He sympathize with the broken and weary? What did it cost Him? A great deal.

His prayers won’t force us to do anything, we have to choose to be obedience, to follow, to surrender, and that’s when the impact of His prayers for our life will impact history.

Scripture References: Job 9:32-33, Hebrews 5:5-10, Hebrews 5:1-4, Acts 13:33, Hebrews 5:1-14, Hebrews 4:15, Hebrews 2:14-15, Philippians 9:32