"And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." Matt 24:14
"And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [SUP]19 [/SUP]Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [SUP]20 [/SUP]teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matt 28:18-20
Every church I have been in has put on a Christmas production, pageant, or play in which the main objective is to preach the gospel. I have sung in these productions, and played in the orchestra. I have seen many people go forward and accept Christ as a result of these Christmas celebrations, properly tied in with the pastor explaining the meaning of the gospel.
I also taught Christmas carols in public school, and then taught these children (many from pagan religions) what the words meant, and who Jesus was. I always ended by reading the Bible story to the kids. Just planting seeds in this case, but better these children, who I found out do celebrate a hybridized Christmas, learn the truth of the gospel.
(Example: Sikh children who go to temple in the morning, then come home and open their presents under the Christmas tree. These children were 10-12 and did not know who Jesus was, or what the meaning of Jesus coming to earth was about. Sad to think it probably isn't allowed these days, even in Canada!)
If we are to fulfill the Great Commission, Christmas to me provides amazing doors to preach the gospel, especially to those who literally have never heard the name of Jesus before.
The legalism on this thread is really inappropriate and I pray God convicts these people of the great harm they are doing for the cause of Christ.