I love Christmastime!!!
Seriously, it’s my second favorite time of the year. (Summer will always rule supreme!)
I love the Christmas lights, the Christmas decorations, the music, the movies, the foods, the traditions…I just love it all.
For me, it’s a special time of year when everything is just a little more fun.
Because we don’t focus a lot on presents and parties, there’s less stress and more time to relax with those you love and let those you love know how much you care about them.
For me, the perfect Christmas night is spent in my pajamas watching a Christmas movie as the Christmas lights twinkle, and I’m sipping on hot cocoa. I just love the season.
And yet, I’m aware of its pitfalls.
There are unique challenges that arise as we seek to follow Jesus this time of year faithfully. One of the biggest is the temptation to compromise using the excuse, “But, it’s Christmas.”
For some, it means abandoning their commitment to following godly principles in their finances. Too many Christians who know how God wants them to spend, save, and be wise with their money, choose to compromise in the spirit of the season. They compromise and spend too much or go into debt because “it’s Christmas.” Some may even stop tithing because “we need the money for Christmas.”
Others compromise in social settings.
They laugh at the joke they KNOW a man or woman of God shouldn’t find funny to keep the peace.
Others go to parties where sinful activities occur because “everyone else will be there, and they don’t want to offend anyone.”
Some drink too much.
Others flirt with people who aren’t their spouses.
Whether it be an office party, a friend’s party, or even a family event, it’s a challenge to stand firm to your Biblical principles and avoid compromise over the holidays.
Some people revert to old addictions or sinful behavioral patterns because the holidays trigger old hurts or heartaches from the past.
Others just become nasty and forget that we are called “love our neighbor” and “be kind” even in stressful situations, or when traffic is insane, or the line at the store is ridiculously long. (I had to remind myself just last week that I am a Christian, and I need to act like a Christian, even though I had to wait in an insanely long line to return something.)
The truth is that as amazing as the holiday season can be, it is also filled with opportunities to compromise just a little (or a lot) and say, “What’s the big deal…it’s the holidays.”
Yet, this is not the attitude we should take.
Instead, we need to remember that IN EVERY SEASON, we are the children of God.
We need to continue to live by Biblical principles and represent Jesus well.
We can’t allow a spirit of compromise to enter our hearts using the excuse “It’s just the holidays.”
One way I’ve had to put this truth into my own life this Christmas has to do with my love for Christmas movies.
Yes, as anyone who knows me will attest, I love Christmas movies. Until this year, I was a huge fan of everything Hallmark—I had the shirt, the socks, even an ornament for the tree.
Yet, this year more than ever, the Hallmark Channel has made it a mission to advance the LGBTQ agenda. I was very disappointed that most of their new movies for 2021 feature alternative lifestyles as normal. I was presented with a choice: Do I say, “But it’s Christmas, and I love these movies,” or do I stand by the principles of the Bible, the principles I teach, that Christians should not watch things that are against Biblical principles?
Gotta admit I was torn. Because it’s Christmas…..
However, it doesn’t matter. There is no Christmas vacation from living by Biblical principles and standing against sin in our lives.
We are called to follow Jesus 365 days a year….Christmas included.
So, I am not watching the new movies that have these storylines.
I can’t compromise just because it’s a holiday tradition.
I realize that your temptation to compromise may be different. Much to my chagrin, many don’t give a hoot about holiday movies. However, I can guarantee that you are tempted to compromise in a different area.
Whatever your temptation to compromise, here’s my reminder: Christmas is Not an Excuse to Compromise.
Instead, may the story of God sending His Son to give all for our salvation inspire us to abandon all compromise and follow Him more passionately and wholeheartedly.
May the phrase, “It’s Christmas," remind us to give our all for the One Who gave everything for us.”
May we stand firm in our faith, remain committed to our convictions, and shine the light of Jesus into a dark world as we celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.
Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.
(1 Peter 5:9)
Joyful are people of integrity,
who follow the instructions of the Lord.
Joyful are those who obey his laws
and search for him with all their hearts.
They do not compromise with evil,
and they walk only in his paths.
You have charged us
to keep your commandments carefully.
Oh, that my actions would consistently
reflect your decrees!
Then I will not be ashamed
when I compare my life with your commands.
As I learn your righteous regulations,
I will thank you by living as I should!
I will obey your decrees.
Please don’t give up on me!
Psalm 119:1-8
Adessa Holden is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God specializing in Women's Ministry. Together with her brother, Jamie, they manage 4One Ministries and travel the East Coast speaking, holding conferences, and producing Men's and Women's resources that provide practical Biblical teaching for everyday life.
When asked about herself, she'll tell you "I'm a women's minister, a sister, and a daughter. I love to laugh and spend time with people. My favorite things are chocolate, the ocean, sandals and white capris, anything purple, summertime and riding in the car listening to music. It is my absolute honor and privilege to serve Jesus and women through this ministry.
