The holiday of Christmas has often been misunderstood. Some have argued, it is a pagan festival the church ‘baptized’ post-Constantine, as an attempt to ‘evangelize’ those within the borders of the Roman Empire and the Germanic tribes outside it. The church was trying to help people swallow its beliefs and practices, so it ‘bootlegged’ a pagan holiday and made it its own. If true, such actions were a poor attempt to fulfill the Great Commission (Mat. 28:18-20).

No doubt, the early church had its fair share of struggles in evangelism and discipleship. If the faith tarries another 1500 years, I am sure church historians could look at our own time and draw similar conclusions. However, possible error aside, what is the history behind Christmas? Was it in fact Christianized by the church? Here is a helpful article that gives some of the details, showing that it was not.

Knowing this certainly enlightens your own knowledge on the subject, but it can also help you as you seek to tell others about Christ. During this time of the year, it is easier to introduce conversation about the Gospel. Understanding how Christmas as a holiday got its start might open some doors for you to give a reason for the hope within you (1 Pet. 3:15).

—Pastor Clif