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 - February 13, 2000

Cross to the Crown #2

Discipleship a life decision (Mat 28:18-20) to "Observe" all things commanded us. Heb 10:25 "not forsaking the assembly" is one command. Without the body -- church -- we cannot: (1) submit to authority (Heb 13:17, 1Ti 5:17, Tit 1:5); (2) celebrate ordinances (1Co 11:2); (3) be greatest witness to the world (Joh 13:35); (4) someone has to go and someone send (Mat 28:18-20); (5) body functions as a team (Act 2:41-47); (6) personal responsibility -- spiritual gift for building up of the body (1Co 12:7; Eph 4:7); (7) building up of the body (Mat 15:18, Eph 4:11); (8) obey 26 one another commands. Discipleship means: (1) childlike faith (Mat 11:28-29), study of the Word for application -- become your own student -- Christ is the focus; (2) "If you abide in My Word you are My disciples" (Joh 8:30-31, Eph 3:16, Gal 2:20). The world is our biggest judge (Joh 15:6); (3) fruit bearing (Gal 5:22-23, Joh 15:8). Baptism assumes people have been brought to saving knowledge and decision for Christ (Mat 11:28). Teaching equips. Focus is "observe" -- to keep by doing -- application.

Scripture References: Matthew 28:18-20, John 8:30-31, Matthew 11:28, John 13:35, Matthew 11:28-29, John 15:8, Titus 1:5, Ephesians 4:11, Galatians 5:22-23, Hebrews 13:17, Matthew 15:18, John 15:6, Hebrews 10:25, Ephesians 4:7, Galatians 2:20, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2:41-47, Ephesians 3:16