The Kingdom Come

Every year around Christmas time, some Christians grapple with how or if to celebrate Christmas. Typically the initial argument against Christmas by Christians is that it is not a Christian holiday but rather is a pagan holiday. Further, Protestant Christians may oppose the Roman Catholic connection to "Mass" as in "Christ's mass".

However, whatever Christmas was originally, many people; including non-Christians see the holiday as a specifically Christian holiday. So much so, that there is often a hesitancy for public institutions to overtly connect to the holiday, often using the phrase "Happy Holiday" rather than "Merry Christmas". Interestingly enough, etymologically; these institutions don't really get away from the religious overtone by using the phrase Happy Holiday because the word "Holiday" comes from the phrase Holy Day (ref).

THE HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS

There is no doubt that many aspects of Christmas have pagan (non-Christian) origins. For example, the practice of bringing evergreen branches into your home in the winter can be traced to the Romans as a symbol of life during the cold deadness of winter. Much of this has to do with the celebration of Winter Solstice. Some people may even consider that pagan holiday of Saturnalia. However, without rehearsing the entire history of Christmas which can be viewed many places; I just want to point out that Christianity has had a practice of subsuming pagan elements and "Christianizing" them. This is consistent with 2 Corinthians 10:5

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

Taking every thought and making it obedient to Christ includes every aspect of a culture. Christianity still does this today by taking what is typically secular and Christianizing it; such as music genres.

So, as Christians, we can either use this season to further spread the message of Christ and make every thought obedient to Christ -- even those things blatantly pagan or we can spend our time bemoaning the fact that Christmas has pagan elements that have been Christianized. We can sing Christmas carols and point out the Christian message. We can gather with family and friends who may not meet with us any other time of the year. We can take opportunities to discuss religious issues with people who would otherwise never engage in such a discussion any other time of year. Otherwise, non-religious families will expose their children to Christianity -- al be it couched in heavy consumerism -- but exposing them nonetheless.

As for me and my family, we will continue to celebrate this pagan holiday that has been taken captive and made obedient to Christ. We will talk with friends and neighbors about Christ; His birth, His ministry, His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection and what it means. Amen!