Should Christians celebrate Christmas? Is it okay to put up a Christmas tree, decorate your home, indulge in the fantasy of Santa Claus with your kids, and exchange gifts? Or is this a pagan tradition that Christians should avoid?
Why are we celebrating Christmas?
Christians observe Christmas to celebrate the birth of Christ. No, December 25 is not Jesus’ exact birthday. But throughout scripture, God established holidays to mark certain things in history. Without those, humans would forget these things over time.
If you think Christmas is a pagan holiday that shouldn’t be celebrated, ask yourself: Is it ever a sin to rejoice in the birth of Jesus? Also, will there ever be a time when celebrating that is wrong?
The star on a Christmas tree represents the star of Bethlehem, and the lights represent Jesus as the light of the world. We give gifts because the wise men gave Jesus gifts.
How should Christians celebrate Christmas?
Redeem
Christmas is supposed to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. What happens at birthday parties? We give the person gifts. But avoid getting so caught up giving gifts to each other instead of giving gifts and glory to Christ.
In my home, we volunteer somewhere for the less fortunate every year at Christmas, as a way of giving a gift to Jesus, in a manner of speaking.
“The king will reply, truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ “Then he will say to those on the left, ‘depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
Our generosity to others is one of the greatest gifts we can give to God.
Reject
Christmas has been commercialized, so Christians may choose to reject secular aspects of the season. You don’t have to put up a tree or sing secular Christmas songs. If you aren’t comfortable with the concept of Santa, which I’m not, then you can reject that.
Relay
Christmas is a great opportunity to relay or share the story of Jesus Christ and the gospel. God took on human flesh, born of a woman in a humble manger, so that we could be saved.
Remind
Remind your children of the true reason for the season. If you are a parent, use this time to teach your children about Jesus, so they don’t think Christmas is just all about getting material gifts.
Reflect
Christmas is a great time to reflect on the Christmas story, no matter how many times you’ve read it. Remind yourself of some of the aspects of it. The Holy Spirit can always show you new angles and details that you haven’t seen before.
Rejoice
There is no greater time to rejoice over the birth of Jesus than the Christmas season. Christians should be worshiping God during this season for sending his son to die for our sins so that we could be reconciled to him. God chose to enter a corrupt world to redeem his people.
Respect
If you don’t believe in celebrating Christmas, you should respect those that do. And if you go all in for Christmas with the decorations and traditions, respect people who don’t feel that they should celebrate Christmas. Christians should not divide over this issue.