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 - December 21, 1998

Upper Room Discourse #6

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Moses was a "friend of God" but could not see His face, but we do as a new creature looking in the reflective mirror of The Word (2Co 3:18). Joh 14:21 "Manifest" examples: (a) Jesus will manifest Himself to the eyes of our soul (Eph 1:17-18). (b) Miracles John writes of are analogies (examples) to what spiritual abiding in Christ does to us. Jesus turned common water into the finest wine (Joh 2:11) which is analogous to manifesting power of transformation of our lives and a life of fellowship. The man healed of blindness - "That the works of God might be manifested in him" (Joh 9:3). (c) The Life of Christ was manifested to all (1Jn 1:2) - His life can be manifested in us. (d) Jesus was "manifested to take away our sins, and ... whoever abides in Him does not sin" (1Jo 3:5-6, Gal 5:16). Love is manifested toward us ... that we might live through Him (1Jo 4:9) -- abundant life. "... so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our body" (2Co 4:11). (e) Joh 15:1-2 mistranslated "take away"; should be "lifted up" so the vine doesn't send down roots (but puts energy into fruit instead). John 15 manifestations: (1) Union with Christ (Joh 15:4-5); (2) abiding presence of Christ (Joh 15:4, 2Co 13:5); (3) evidence life of fellowship pruning/washing discipline (Joh 15:2, Joh 15:6); (4) productivity - "fruit" (Joh 15:4-5); (5) effective prayer (Joh 15:7, Psa 37:4); (6) God will be glorified (Joh 15:8); (7) inner joy (Joh 15:11); (8) We'll have a reciprocal friendship (Joh 15:14-15) - Jesus has called us friends, but He waits for humility, submission, and obedience (i.e., if we do what He commands). The abiding believer - one who obeys His commands - will "abide forever" (1Jo 2:15-17). The character we become here and now is the person we will be forever. In Heb 12:22-24 we are shown our welcome into heaven.

Scripture References: John 9:3, John 15:1, John 15:7, John 2:11, Hebrews 12:22-24, John 15:1-2, John 15:4-5, Ephesians 1:17-18, John 2:15-17, John 4:9, John 15:6, John 14:21, John 15:14-15, Galatians 5:16, John 15:2, John 15:11, John 3:5-6, John 15:4, John 15:8, John 1:2, John 15:4-5, Psalms 37:4