“For I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” – Isaiah 41:13
Understanding Pagan Influences
As followers of Christ, we have a responsibility to be aware of the origins of the traditions we celebrate. Many customs associated with Christmas have roots that trace back to pagan practices. This awareness is essential for us to honor God in our celebrations. By understanding these influences, we can create a Christmas that focuses on Jesus, His birth, and the love He brings into our lives. Rather than getting lost in the decorations and gifts, we can embrace a more meaningful celebration that reflects our faith. We should turn our hearts toward understanding what truly honors God during this season.
Deuteronomy 12:30-31
“Be careful not to be ensnared by inquiring about their gods, saying, ‘How do these nations serve their gods? We will do the same.’ You must not worship the Lord your God in their way, because in worshiping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the Lord hates.” – Deuteronomy 12:30-31
Leviticus 18:3
“You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you.” – Leviticus 18:3
1 Thessalonians 5:21
“Test all things; hold fast what is good.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:21
Jeremiah 10:2-3
“This is what the Lord says: ‘Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens, though the nations are terrified by them. For the practices of the peoples are worthless.” – Jeremiah 10:2-3
1 Corinthians 10:20-21
“No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons.” – 1 Corinthians 10:20-21
Celebrating with Purpose
The Christmas season is a time for joy, but we must remember that the reason behind our celebrations should be purposeful. As we think about the pagan aspects of Christmas, we can redirect our focus toward honoring Christ during this special time. It is about celebrating His birth, sharing love with one another, and reflecting on the gift of redemption He offers us. By intentionally choosing to celebrate with purpose, we ensure that our observance of Christmas glorifies God, rather than merely following traditions that may not align with our faith.
Colossians 3:2
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” – Colossians 3:2
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33
Luke 2:11
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” – Luke 2:11
Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” – Philippians 4:8
Matthew 1:21
“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.” – Matthew 1:21
Rejecting Worldly Practices
Each year, Christmas rolls around with many customs shaped by the world, including those that have pagan roots. We, as believers, are encouraged to thoughtfully examine these practices and determine what aligns with our values as Christians. By rejecting any customs that may divert attention from Christ, we create an atmosphere that honors Him. We can make a stand for our faith and ensure that we reflect His love through our holiday activities. Together, we can encourage each other to focus on Christ and not the worldly influences that surround the festive season.
Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” – Romans 12:2
1 John 2:15
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.” – 1 John 2:15
Galatians 1:10
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” – Galatians 1:10
James 4:4
“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” – James 4:4
Colossians 2:8
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” – Colossians 2:8
Bringing Christ to the Center
As Christians, our goal during the Christmas season should be to bring Christ to the center of our celebrations. When we do this, we shift the focus from worldly traditions to the true meaning of Christmas. It can be as simple as reading scripture together, praying as a family, or reflecting on Jesus’ life and the miracles He performed. By consciously placing Christ in the heart of our holiday, we allow His light to shine brightly. This can encourage others around us to seek a deeper understanding of what Christmas truly means—honoring the birth of our Savior.
John 1:14
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14
Romans 10:9
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9
Isaiah 9:6
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6
1 Peter 3:15
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” – 1 Peter 3:15
Hebrews 12:2
“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” – Hebrews 12:2
Exchanging Gifts with Love
The custom of exchanging gifts at Christmas can sometimes overshadow the real gift we received through Jesus Christ. Instead of getting caught up in commercialism, we can use this opportunity to exchange gifts that reflect the love of Christ. This includes acts of service, meaningful gifts that show we care, and sharing love with family and friends. When we approach giving gifts in this way, we are replicating the love shown by God through the gift of His Son. Let’s cherish the moments spent with loved ones and use this time to create lasting memories anchored in love.
Acts 20:35
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” – Acts 20:35
2 Corinthians 9:7
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
Galatians 5:13
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” – Galatians 5:13
1 John 4:9
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” – 1 John 4:9
Creating New Traditions
To honor Christ during the Christmas season, we can create new traditions that celebrate our faith and help us connect with what Christmas means to us. This may include starting a new family tradition of reading the Christmas story each year, volunteering in our community, or serving those in need. By establishing customs that reflect our beliefs, we are not only honoring God, but we are also shaping a legacy of faith that future generations can carry forward. Together, let’s explore ways to inspire creativity and joy in how we celebrate Jesus’ birth.
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
Psalm 115:1
“Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” – Psalm 115:1
Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28
Psalms 126:3
“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” – Psalms 126:3
Philippians 1:6
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:6
Final Thoughts
This season, let us reflect on how we celebrate Christmas and choose to center our traditions around honoring Christ. As we examine the influences around us, we are reminded of the importance of keeping Him first. I urge each of us to seek ways to make our celebrations meaningful by focusing on the story of Jesus’ birth. Through purposeful giving and creating new traditions, we cultivate a rich faith-filled Christmas that highlights love and togetherness.
Let’s reject the pressure of worldly practices and be a light in our communities. In doing so, we will glorify our Savior and pass on a legacy of faith that enriches our celebrations. Together we can inspire each other to celebrate with joyful hearts, honoring the true meaning of Christmas.
If you’re interested in exploring more topics, feel free to read about forgiveness or forsaking God.