To understand my irritation, you need to take a step back from the (good and appropriate) message that Christians are trying to communicate and sit with the hearers for a moment. There are numerous surveys which show that people who are not regular church-goers expect Christians to be narrow-minded and judgemental. So, if they hear a Christian talking about 'the real meaning of Christmas', what they actually hear is the Christian saying 'I disapprove of your consumerist drunken lifestyle - why can't you be pious like me?' It's no surprise that they don't respond well!
So how should we talk about Christmas? Jesus is the reason for the season is another phrase that's been around in recent years that makes much more sense to me. It has echoes with Paul's approach at the Areopagus in Athens where he looks at something they're already doing (worshipping 'an unknown God'), praises them for being religious, then uses their cultural forms (quoting the Greek poet Cleanthes) to point to Jesus and the resurrection.
Jesus joined in with other people's parties to the extent that he was accused of being a glutton and a drunkard (Matthew 11:19, Luke 7:34). His eating and drinking with tax-collectors and sinners was highly controversial - it was a much bigger social taboo in first century Israel than many contemporary Christians realise. These accusations point to a man who knew how to join in a party as a welcome (and sought after) guest and wasn't worried about others disapproving.
So how do we celebrate Christmas?
Join in the party!!
Make sure we point to Jesus in non-religious ways as much as possible.
Strangely enough carol services are almost non-religious and a great opportunity.
Start with nostalgia and use that to communicate a message that simply says God is good and Christians are okay!
Heavy evangelism is unexpected, unwelcome and ineffective at a carol service!
Have a great party!!!
Jesus is coming!
