Celebrate Christmas? Yes.

 Isaiah 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 

Luke 1 and 2  relates Christ's conception and birth. Vs 35 says: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Is it okay to celebrate Christmas? 

What about the origin of Christmas?  

Christmas was originally a very pagan holiday.  SATURNALIA: The ancient Roman seven-day festival of Saturn, which began on December 17.    2)  (used with a sing. verb) A celebration marked by unrestrained revelry and often licentiousness; an orgy. - The Saturnalia celebrated Saturn as a harvest god.  Wreaths, feasts, and the lighting of candles all continue the Saturnalia of the ancient Romans, although the modern reasons are far removed from the Pagans of the Classical World.

Excerpts from Skip Moen's daily email (Today's Word) explains how the once pagan holiday turned into what we now know as Christmas:

"The Romans celebrated it as Saturnalia, a week of lawless disorder in efforts to appease the gods, culminating in the death of an innocent victim.  The Greeks observed the same sort of holiday complete with sexual immorality and torture.  The Church adopted this holiday by converting it into a Christian celebration during the 4th Century, a time when large numbers of pagans entered the fold of the official Church.  Unfortunately, the pagan masses continued to celebrate in the old way, with drunkenness, sexual license and other abuses.  There is historical evidence that some of these practices continued into the Middle Ages, aimed at humiliating Jews as the enemies of the Church.  As late at 1881, anti-Semitic brutality was still associated with “Christmas” in some areas in Europe. 

Historically, the reason for the season was an excuse to do whatever human lust demanded without repercussions.  Today we have been Christianized.  If Christmas was still observed in the manner of Saturnalia, no true Christian would participate.  In fact, Christians would protest.  Furthermore, for the vast majority of our culture, Christmas isn’t really about the Christ either.  It’s about presents, parties and good cheer.

Should Christians stop celebrating Christmas?  If we know the history, and we disavow any connection to the pagan origins, can we still observe such a date as a “sacred” celebration?  Or are we required to remove Christmas from our lives because it has such a terrible history behind it?  Can’t we simply take the opportunity to be with our families, enjoy giving, celebrate God’s goodness, fellowship and grace without endorsing the pagan origins?

Frankly, I’m not quite sure.  But I do recognize some interesting precedents.  Genesis is replete with pagan cultural symbols that have been “converted” by God into acceptable patterns of righteousness.  Circumcision was practiced in ancient cultures long before it became a sign of the covenant.  It was originally a rite of passage associated with sexuality.  God made it His sign by changing its context.  The pagan mythology of the creation of the world was altered by God in the Genesis account.  God adapts culture to His purposes when necessary.

 I don’t want to endorse paganism but I am not yet convinced that contemporary Christmas is now anything more than a worldwide sales campaign.  "

Much of our society has moved the celebration of Christmas far from the announcement of the birth of Jesus, the Son of God.  Could this be the reason we are miserable while celebrating?  Perhaps this is why some pounce upon paganism as a reason not to celebrate Christmas.  Our materialistic view may have provided the opposition a platform for defaming Christmas.  There's nothing wrong with gathering for the purpose of exchanging gifts or enjoying a family feast - but it would be good to recognize fully why we are participating in these activities. 

By the way: If you lack the resources to distribute a hefty bag of gifts to your loved ones... It doesn't mean you are a failure.  It only means you aren't measuring up to the expectations of retailers as they reach for their most profitable sales period of the year.  You have much love to give your family.  Give that.  That's what they need and want most.  After all, it resembles the love expressed on that first Christmas. 

I Want to Wish You a Merry Christmas!