Rethinking Christmas: A Holiday or a Holy Day?

A reply to a recent post about Christmas provided me food for thought and fodder for a deeper conversation.

One of my friends from across the pond and curator of PURE247 RADIO , Andy B, commented on my recent post about how to keep Christ at the center of our Christmas celebration.

Here is what Andy wrote:

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I wonder whether we see Christmas more as a holiday than a moment to celebrate the birth of Christ.

In a world that values busyness, we can easily see the ‘holiday’ as a time to indulge in all things ‘me’.

Churches here in the UK instinctively shut down the really righteous activities – because people want a break.

I get that.

But, Jesus took one day a week to rest [with His father in worship].

Perhaps we need to self-check that we don’t allow the celebrating of the birth of the Living Messiah to become an opportunity to shut down and rest “because we work hard and deserve a break”.

Perhaps it is the conflation of work life and faith life.

My wonderings – from your post – are questions I didn’t know I had with answers I definitely don’t have!

Thanks Rainer – always good to be made to think 🙂

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Andy B’s thoughts stuck with me [Like sunk in deep].

His questions made me pause, reflect, and dig deeper into what these ideas mean for us as followers of Christ.

They touched on the way we approach Christmas, the rhythm of our churches during the holidays, and the often overlooked importance of rest.

1. Is Christmas More of a Holiday Than a Holy Day?

Andy asks if we treat Christmas as just a holiday rather than a moment to celebrate the birth of Christ. It’s a hard question because it’s true: the lines have blurred. I could argue that the Reason for the Season has all but been erased right before our eyes. As Christians—little Christs—we were looking but we weren’t watching. Like the disciples in Gethsemane, we nodded off.

Somewhere between the tinsel, travel plans, and time off, the sacredness of Christmas gets swallowed up and lost amid everything else.

But here’s the thing: Christmas reminds us of a miracle. God not only came here, to Earth, He came near in the person of Jesus. From Heaven, God stepped toward us in the middle of our brokenness, our constant wandering, and our endless searching. I believe that’s not just simply worth celebrating—but it’s worth stopping everything else for—pause. reflect. remember.

John 1:14 (NIV)

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Let us intentionally set aside moments during the season to realign our focus. (Yes, I just said that out loud. Think about it.)

Whether it’s pausing for prayer before the day gets chaotic or reading the story of Jesus’ birth again but this time with fresh eyes, whatever it looks like for you and yours, remember that Christmas isn’t about what we do—it’s about what He’s done.

2. Should Churches Shut Down During the Holidays?

Andy pointed out that in the UK, churches often shut down their activities during the holidays, giving people time to rest.

This befuddles me.

While I get that ministry can be exhausting, it makes me wonder how we lose sight of the opportunities this season brings?

The holidays are hard for a lot of people. Loneliness, grief, and unmet expectations feel heavier when the world is lit up with celebrations. For some, the church is the one and only place where they find peace, comfort, and hope. It makes sense to me that we lean into that rather than escape from it.

There’s a time for rest, no doubt.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Maybe the question isn’t whether we stop all together but, rather, how we serve. Could we focus less on programs and more on presence? A warm cup of coffee (or tea), an open door, a kind word, a listening ear—sometimes it’s the simplest things that remind people they’re seen and loved. And isn’t Christmas ultimately about being seen and loved? God demonstrated His love for us that He sent His Son, so that by believing in Him we might not perish, but experience everlasting life.

Christmas proclaims the epitome of being seen and loved—Jesus—God with us.

3. Jesus Modeled Rest, Not Retreat

Andy’s last point hit me squarely. He reminded me that Jesus took one day a week to rest—with His Father in worship. Rest wasn’t about pulling back from His purpose but stepping closer to it. Jesus rested to refuel. He needed His Father just like we need Jesus.

Mark 2:27 (NIV)

“Then he said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.’”

How often do we confuse rest with retreat? Rest isn’t about running away or shutting down; it’s about being renewed. It’s about letting God refill us so we can keep going.

During the holidays, it’s easy to swing too far one way or the other—to burn out or to check out. Trust me. I’ve been there. But Jesus shows us a better way. Worship is rest. Prayer is rest. And when we let God meet us in our weariness, we find the strength to keep showing up for others.

We rest to recharge.

Let’s Keep Christ at the Center

This Christmas, I want to be intentional—not just about how I celebrate but how I rest, serve, and worship. I want to keep asking myself: Is this about me, or is this about Him?

What about you? How do you plan to make space for Christ this season? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Let’s keep the conversation going, whether it’s in the comments below or through a post of your own (David).

Until next time…

Grace and peace,

Rainer Bantau—The Devotional Guy™