Recap
After examining the claims about man-made holidays and supposed “pagan roots,” we’re ready to turn to what most believers care about most: How do I honor Jesus in a season that’s often filled with noise, pressure, and distraction? Regardless of where Christmas traditions came from, the real issue is the posture of our hearts today.
In this final post of the series, we’ll explore simple, meaningful ways to let your celebration point clearly to Christ—so that every gift, song, and moment becomes an act of worship.
The Struggle Is Real
I sat at my toy-and-gift–cluttered dining room table, worn out from the holidays. My return to work was only a day away, and I had completely missed my goal of entering the new year physically rested, emotionally refreshed, and spiritually anchored. With a cup of coffee in one hand and my Bible and journal on the table, I wondered where the last couple of weeks had gone. It was then that the Holy Spirit drew my attention to something on the buffet beside me.
When I turned, I saw my wife’s Willow Tree nativity set. The scene instantly reminded me of another desire I had failed to keep this year: the desire to make sure our family’s Christmas celebrations pointed us to the reason for the season.
But the nativity didn’t look the way Stephanie had arranged it a few weeks earlier. One shepherd had been decapitated after a child knocked him over; a camel was missing a foot; a lamb had lost a leg. And instead of being arranged neatly, the figurines were pushed aside by wrapping paper, stray Legos, candy, and pieces of gingerbread houses we had made as a family.
In that moment, I sensed the Lord speaking to my heart. God used that messy, broken nativity scene to show me a deeper truth: even with the best intentions, I had once again allowed the busyness and traditions of the season to push aside the very One we were supposed to be celebrating. I had let the “things of Christmas” crowd out the Christ of Christmas.
Overcoming the Struggle
I know I’m not alone. We all know the reason for the season. Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus—and more than that, it reminds us that the eternal Son became human so He could give His life as the only acceptable sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 10:5-10). Without the incarnation, there would be no cross, no resurrection, and no salvation. We would still be lost and separated from God if Jesus had not come to us—not merely to show the way, but to be the way (John 8:12; 14:6).
Yet even though we know this truth, we also know how easily seasonal activities can pull our attention away from Jesus.
For this reason, our outstanding Children’s Director and I created Christmas Compass, a FREE, downloadable family resource with five simple devotions. Each one takes a common “thing of the season” and intentionally points it back to Jesus, the reason for the season. You can preview the resource below. (Note: Page 1 is blank.)
My prayer is that this will help you and your family keep your eyes on Christ this Christmas.
Final Thoughts
As we conclude this mini-series, let me offer a few final reflections.
1. Follow the Holy Spirit’s Leading
If you sense that the Holy Spirit is not leading you to celebrate Christmas, then obey Him so that you do not sin (Romans 14:23). The Bible does not command believers to celebrate Christmas, so you are not disobedient if you do not observe it. At the same time, make sure your decision to abstain is rooted in truth—not in misinformation or misinterpretation of Scripture, as we’ve addressed throughout this series.
2. Celebrate Christmas with Purpose (if you choose to)
Perhaps you, like me, find yourself free to celebrate the holiday and eager to use it as a time to meditate on the miracle of the incarnation. If so, lean on the Holy Spirit to keep you focused on Christ. Ask Him to guard your heart from the secularism, commercialism, and materialism that can overshadow the gospel. And as you participate in the traditions of the season, do so intentionally—using them to stir your affections for Christ (1 Corinthians 10:31).
3. Let Romans 14 Shape How We Treat One Another
And importantly, Paul’s teaching in Romans 14 provides a wise, Spirit-inspired framework for thinking about Christmas. In that chapter, Paul deals with disputable matters—issues on which Scripture gives no command. Some believers felt free to eat meat; others abstained for conscience’s sake. Paul affirms that all foods are acceptable in Christ, yet he immediately warns believers not to “tear apart the work of God” over such matters—including the question of whether certain days should be observed (Romans 14:5–9, 20).
Christmas fits this same category.
- Scripture does not command it.
- Scripture does not forbid it.
- It is a matter of conscience, not a test of spiritual maturity.
For one believer, celebrating Christmas deepens worship and joy. For another, abstaining may be an act of obedience to the Spirit’s prompting. Paul’s solution is simple and powerful:
Whatever you do—whether you celebrate or abstain—do it unto the Lord.
And just as Paul urged the early church not to divide over food, we must not divide over Christmas. Unity in Christ is far more critical than uniformity in practice.
4. Charity Must Mark Our Convictions
Whichever side of the Christmas coin you land on, let love abound. We are free not to celebrate Christmas because God does not command it. We are also free to celebrate Christmas because God does not forbid it. And in both cases, we can glorify God (Romans 14:10–11).
So may we hold our convictions with humility, practice them with grace, and aim to glorify Jesus in all we do.
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