Celebrate!

I have received several emails about why Christians shouldn’t celebrate Christmas. They make the arguments that Jesus wasn’t actually born on December 25^th, and that much of what we do to celebrate has pagan roots. We should have no participating in paganism.

While I agree that I do not want to give any kind of glory to Satan, I also don’t want to give him too much credit. Nothing I do at Christmas has anything to do with paganism. It might have at one time, but I am not a pagan, and the traditions I keep come exclusively from family history and a love of all things shiny and sparkly.

I celebrate Christmas for the following reasons:

1. God makes a pretty big deal out of it.

            He didn’t hide the birth of his Son. He brought out a choir of angels, summoned Kings from afar to bring special and costly gifts, and hung a special star in the sky. He gave special prophecies telling people what to look for, and then he fulfilled them. He gave people dreams, and divinely protected this baby. Jesus was, IS, a big deal!

2. I love Jesus.

         I am so grateful for the gift of Jesus in my life. I love that he loves me and did everything necessary for me to live in relationship with him. I love that at this time of year it’s OK to talk about Jesus. I love that more of us think about going to church, and that I can worship and give thanks publically. I love that Jesus is glorified.

3. I love people. Neighbors. Friends. You. And so does God.

         Christmas is the world wide celebration of Jesus’ birthday. Yes, I know that few of the people who celebrate know or care that it’s Jesus birthday,  but some of them do, and at this time of year, its OK to talk to others about Jesus. I love you. I want you to experience the same relationship with God that I have, and the Bible tells us that the only way to the Father is through the Son. I love you enough to publically celebrate Christmas, hoping you will be drawn into relationship with him, too.

So, yes, I celebrate Christmas. If you don’t want to, that’s your choice, but honestly, I think that the church should take as many opportunities to celebrate as we can. Living in the joy that God gives us is attractive. And it makes us more pleasant people.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For god did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:16-17