How do you observe Christmas today compared to when you were a child? Do you celebrate it at all? Did you know Christmas has pagan roots? If so, does that trouble you?
Don’t worry—I’m not here to tell you what you should or shouldn’t do during the holiday season. Truthfully, I’m still sorting it out myself. My feelings are torn.
A Controversial Tradition
Since the early church, Christians have debated the relationship between pagan customs and their faith. Some argued for “Christianizing” pagan traditions to win over converts, while others firmly rejected any association.
Today, Christians handle Christmas differently. Some embrace family traditions like Santa Claus and gift exchanges while focusing on the Savior’s birth. Others avoid the Santa narrative, striving to center the holiday entirely on Christ. Still, some reject Christmas altogether due to its pagan origins, Puritan opposition, or concerns about materialism. For those who choose not to celebrate, the decision often brings criticism from family and friends.
My Christmas Journey
Childhood Christmases in the Sixties
As a child, Christmas was full of excitement—Santa Claus, a tinsel-laden tree, and a big focus on presents. We didn’t forget Jesus, but He wasn’t the center of it all. My mom would read the Christmas story before the nativity scene on Christmas Eve, but Jesus only got about 15 minutes of our holiday attention.
Parenting in the Seventies
When my children were toddlers, we tried to bring Jesus into the celebration. We baked birthday cakes for Him and displayed a Santa figurine kneeling at the manger. I even took my children to see Santa for photos, and our church included Santa in its festivities.
Refocusing in the Eighties
By the time my children were school-age, I realized the Santa traditions had to go. We replaced them with Christ-centered activities, such as creating Chrismons (Christian symbols) for the tree and reading Scripture together. While we still exchanged gifts and decorated a tree, the focus shifted to Jesus.
Our Christmoms Christmas Tree
A Chrismon tree is a Christ-centered Christmas tradition, adorned with handmade ornaments symbolizing Jesus’ life and ministry. Chrismons (Christ Monograms) feature biblical symbols like the cross, fish, crown, and lamb, crafted in white and gold to reflect purity and divinity. This beautiful tradition keeps the focus on Christ's glory.
I sewed and/or smocked special red Christmas dresses for my girls every year.
A Hard Decision in the Early Nineties
Learning about the pagan roots of Christmas and Easter led me to question whether we should celebrate these holidays at all. I struggled with the decision, and so did my family. My children were heartbroken over losing cherished traditions, and my extended family was deeply disappointed. Eventually, we decided to stop celebrating Christmas altogether. It wasn’t easy, but my intentions were pure—I wanted to honor God in everything we did.
A New Chapter in the 2000s
When I remarried in 1999, my husband didn’t want to give up Christmas, as it was one of the few times his family gathered. Though I didn’t feel at peace, I chose to compromise and focus on Christ within the celebration and celebrated with children and grandchildren.
Since his passing in 2021, I’ve spent Christmas in different ways, cherishing time with my children and grandchildren while continuing to seek God’s guidance on how to celebrate. I remarried in 2023 and my husband Mike is very flexible. We are having sever family get togethers and exchanging gifts.
Keeping Christ in Christmas
Every December, I lead a 31-day online class exploring the Titles of Christ, designed to keep our Messiah at the center of the season. Each day, we delve into 31 different titles—such as Prince of Peace, The Way, Lamb of God, or Immanuel—unpacking the rich biblical meaning and significance behind each one while creating Bible journal pages.
This class serves as a powerful reminder of who Jesus is and why His birth is the greatest gift of all, offering participants a Christ-centered approach to the holiday season.
Rediscovering the Birth of Christ
I deeply desire to celebrate Jesus’ birth as the miraculous event it is. While it’s true that Christmas wasn’t commanded by God, neither was Purim, which the Jewish people instituted to commemorate God’s deliverance. I believe we can honor Christ’s birth without merging it with pagan traditions—but finding that balance is challenging.
The Blessings and Burdens of Christmas
What I Love About Christmas:
- A focus on Christ
- Family gatherings
- Church programs that serve others
- Nativity scenes
- Generosity
- Caroling
- Beautiful music, like Handel’s Messiah
- Twinkling lights
- Baking with children
- Handmade gifts and cards
- Sweet treats
- Creative projects like crafts and decorations
What Troubles Me About Christmas:
- The lack of focus on Christ
- Pagan origins
- Loneliness for some
- Disagreements among Christians
- Materialism and greed
- Shopping and debt
- Family stress
- The “good are rewarded” mentality that can obscure grace
- Santa’s elevation to idol status
- The commercialization of a sacred season
God’s Holy Days
God gave us a desire to celebrate and provided clear instructions for observing His holy days in Leviticus 23. These feasts are rich with spiritual and prophetic meaning, yet they are often neglected in favor of traditions that originated outside of God’s commands. See my book Jesus in the Biblical Holidays for more.
How does God feel about this? Consider this parable:
A Parable of Priorities
A father asked his son to prepare a special meal on a specific day, leaving clear instructions. While the father was away, a friend suggested a more entertaining plan—a party with mythical stories and fun traditions. The son, believing the party would be more enjoyable, followed his friend’s advice instead of his father’s instructions.
Was the father disappointed? Perhaps, but his response depended on two things: the boy’s maturity and his motivation.
God looks at our hearts and motives. While I believe pagan traditions are offensive to Him, I also trust in His mercy.
The True Reason for the Season
Amid the debate, let’s not lose sight of what’s most important. Whether we choose to celebrate Christmas or abstain, our actions should reflect a pure heart and unwavering conviction—without judgment toward others.
As Jesus taught, our focus should be on loving God and loving others.
In the midst of controversy, how can we find peace? Isaiah 26:3 reminds us that perfect peace comes when our minds are fixed on God.
Let’s bring peace to this season by focusing on Christ and celebrating His love—not just in December, but every day of the year.
"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors" (Luke 2:14).
