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 #3

Two sources of spiritual power: Spirit and Truth. Discipleship is to learn Christ and not doctrines. Paul's teaching transformed the Corinthians' lives (2Co 3:1-3), but they started to turn away. His credentials (1Co 6:9-11) the Corinthians had the evidence. Sufficiency comes from God (2Co 2:16). The Law kills, but the Spirit is life (2Co 3:4-6). The Law is Holy (Rom 12:7); the problem is the approach to the Law (Gal 3:24). You miss the point if you study the Law meticulously to follow it (Joh 5:37). The power of the Law is to condemn a sinner -- we're accountable to God and His Holiness (2Co 3:7-11). "Passing away" (2Co 3:11) means "rendered powerless" (e.g. like Rom 6:6). The cross of Christ rendered the Law powerless in the New Covenant. Paul's instruction is for believers. The pitfalls of knowledge focus is neglect of the Spirit (1Co 8:1, 2Co 1:4). Moses on Sinai communed with God and reflected His Glory (Exo 34:29). It's a rebuke to someone else if you're transformed. You have to rely on the ministry of the Spirit to be transformed (2Co 3:14-18). Moses veiled his face to illustrate the hardness of the heart of Israel -- an indictment on them, not Moses. He took the veil off when he (Exo 34:34). In 2Co 3:16, "turning" to God lifts the veil: turn to God from idols (1Th 8:9-10); confession (1Jo 1:9); fellowship (1Jo 1:7). If we don't have a veil we will reflect God's Glory (2Co 3:18). We will become an ambassador of Christ (2Co 4:1-6). We become a minister to others (2Co 4:7-12). We become a leading example (2Co 4:13-18). He has given us priesthood, ambassadorship, ministry (Heb 10:22-25).

Scripture References: Exodus 34:29, Romans 6:6, John 5:37, Hebrews 10:22-25, Galatians 3:24, John 1:7, Romans 12:7, John 1:9, Exodus 34:34