Christians, Not Grinchians

2 December, 2025

Don’t be the kind of Christian that complains about Christmas. Unless you spend December 25th in a regulative principle bunker, advent and the holiday itself should be celebrated in a way that makes even the Fezziwig-esque want a little of what we have.

I admit that there are plenty of concerns that could be addressed. There is the heightened commercialism, the seasonal busyness, and the perennial controversy over “Santa” being an anagram of “Satan”. But when it comes to rejoicing at Christmas? Are we rejoicing in a right way more than we are fussing about how others are observing in the wrong way?

For example: I am fine with the cultural appropriation of Christmas*. Just like I am totally on board with the adoption of the ten commandments or the golden rule, I want people who don’t make any pretense of faith in Jesus to pattern their lives off what is true, good, and beautiful. In this instance, it is the cultural expectation that we stop everything to mark the arrival of Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23).

Of course, I want more for them than a month of unaware acknowledgement. All Christians should. I want those who hear “Oh Come, O Come, Emmanuel” to truly know that He has come. I want anyone who sings “Oh Come, All Ye Faithful” to genuinely turn and be faithful. I want people to rest merrily in God’s glorious grace as they hum “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.” Those songs preach because they’re saturated with the word of God. The word is the precise thing used by the Spirit to convert enemies of God into His children (Romans 10:17).

With that said, how does it benefit anyone if those who have received this greatest gift grumble and humbug? Instead of reigning in reindeer, what if we invited neighbors to come a-wassailing? Tearing down the stockings hung with care doesn’t exude the kind of joy we confess has come to the world.

An unbelieving Christmas celebrant will espouse their reasons for the season. It might be something like family, giving, or peace. Christians can say yes and amen to all that. And we should; seizing this point of contact with fellow image bearers. We can agree heartily to peace because the God-man whose title is the first syllable in the holiday’s name “came and preached the good news of peace to you who were far away” (Ephesians 2:17). Since we know that peace, the cost at which it was secured, and how we by no means deserved it, we should celebrate. Rich food, twinkling lights, good wine, hearty singing, heartfelt gifts, and picturesque fireside family scenes flow from the peace promised by the inaugurated and returning King (Philippians 4:7).

Whether you leave out milk and cookies, pull the “actually…” card with the 3rd century St. Nicholas, or are sincerely convicted that a holiday tradition will shatter your child’s ability to separate fact from fiction and leave them in a state of metaphysical uncertainty for decades - you should celebrate.

Invite others in who are pointing at Jesus this season and point them to Jesus (Acts 17:23). Show them how those carols can be sung for joy because God has dwelt among us (Zechariah 2:10). Model how what we’re doing on earth is all a rehearsal dinner for the coming celebration that will transcend all comprehension (Revelation 19:7-9). Make the world want what we have because they see who has us.

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*By the textbook description provided by the world that uses such concepts, it is absolutely cultural appropriation. The Cambridge Dictionary defines cultural appropriation as “the act of taking or using things from a culture that is not your own, especially without showing that you understand or respect this culture.” Does contemporary western civilization understand the incarnation (John 1:14)? Does the broader American culture respect Jesus’ message of “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6)?

Every time Happy Holidays is wished and with every hall that happens to be decked for some odd reason in December; people are taking and using things that are borrowed capital. And still without understanding and without reverent respect, people unwittingly point to the undeniable truth spoken by an angel to a flock of frightened shepherds: “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people. For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).

So, I’m fine with anyone “appropriating” a holiday that belongs to the Church. Or a dating system. Or a lexicon full of Biblical idioms. Or centuries’ worth of scientific discoveries. Or a system of law and government. Take it all and use it all. But by God’s grace, my prayer is this season His Spirit will draw them to understand their need for a Savior and respect the total Lordship of Jesus.