Lately, I have seen some division among Christians regarding Christmas. Some strongly oppose celebrating Christmas because of its pagan roots. Others try hard to keep Christ in Christmas. And then there are those who incorporate more and more worldly stuff in their Christmas celebration. In my opinion, just because something has pagan roots...this does not automatically make it pagan. I think the early Church succeeded at replacing Roman pagan traditions with the celebration of Christ's birth at Christmas. Why do I say that? Well, how many people really remember or even know that Christmas started out as a pagan festival? Billions of people in the world know (even if they don't really have the right focus) that Christmas is about Christ. Four names of our days of the week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday) are named for Viking gods. We don't stop using these names just because they have pagan roots. To me, each day is a gift from God. "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24 It's how we spend our day that matters...honoring/pleasing God or dishonoring/sinning against God. That goes the same for what we do with Christmas (another day that the Lord has made). I posted about an interesting article titled, "Is Christmas Christian?" written by Hank Hanegraaff, the President of the Christian Research Institute last year. I personally believe in celebrating/honoring Christ daily by the way we live. In Thailand, Christmas (no tree, no gift-exchanging, no baking frenzy, no card-sending, no feast) provides a great opportunity for Christians to share to non-Christians about Christ. (In fact, I myself came to know Christ and received the free gift of salvation during Christmastime of 1985 in Thailand.) I believe that's what many churches in America are trying to do. If people are saved because of the Gospel being boldly shared during Christmastime, then we should rejoice. God can certainly use any events, including holidays that have pagan roots, for His glory. Christ's birth is the beginning of the redemption story/the ultimate love story that never ends (John 3:16). If people tend to share Christ's love more at Christmastime, then we should be glad and encourage them so...and hopefully they will carry on sharing Christ's love throughout the year :).
All these thoughts led me to write a poem. I would like to share with you here:-
It doesn't matter if you do or don't celebrate Christmas
What really matters is that you believe in Jesus
It doesn't matter if Dec. 25th is not Christ's actual birthday
What really matters is that He was born to save us from a debt we cannot pay
It doesn't matter if you don't trim a tree
What really matters is that you know & worship God the Creator who makes trees
It doesn't matter if you don't give gifts to one another
What really matters is that you give your heart and your life to our Saviour...our Redeemer
It doesn't matter if you don't hang up any lights
What really matters is that you follow the Light of the world day and night
It doesn't matter if you don't get to go caroling
What really matters is that unto the Lord you joyfully sing
It doesn't matter what eloquent words you write on Christmas cards
What really matters is that you spread the Good News at every chance
It doesn't matter if you bake the best or the most cookies
What really matters is that you help the needy and feed the hungry
P.S. Answers in Genesis has an insightful article about the history of Christmas. | 
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Saturday, December 20, 2008 - Yes, Let's Celebrate the Birthday of our Lord