For many years, the Christmas season was a mixture of joy and quiet questions for me. I loved the beauty, the sparkle, the traditions… but deep inside, I felt a gentle tug of uncertainty:

“Is it okay to enjoy these traditions?”
“Are we honoring Jesus or just following culture?”
“Are any of these things unbiblical?”

If you’ve wrestled with those thoughts, you are not alone. I did too.
And for a while, I carried those questions silently, unsure how to reconcile the traditions I enjoyed with the faith I treasured.

But over time — through Scripture, prayer, and honest reflection — God showed me something beautiful:

Many traditions can point us to Jesus when our hearts remain centered on Him.

Today, let’s walk through a few symbols of the season and find the quiet, Christ-filled meaning inside them.

✨ 1. Santa Claus — A Picture of Generosity, Not a Rival to Jesus

For years, I struggled with this one.

Some church leaders taught that including Santa was not only lying to our children, but even teaching them to lie.
That accusation landed heavy on my heart.

Meanwhile, my husband saw Santa as a sweet, imaginative tradition — a way to bring joy, wonder, and childhood magic into our home. He loved creating moments of delight for our children. And truly… I did too.

We still talked about Jesus.
We prayed together.
We celebrated His birth openly and reverently.
We taught our children that Jesus is Lord, not Santa.

Yet inside, I felt torn.

And when a few family members criticized our decorations — especially the Santa or Mrs. Claus ornaments on our tree — those comments created unnecessary pain. It hurt me… but it wounded my husband even more. Their comments made him feel judged and disconnected from the very people he longed to share life with.

But later in life, God helped me see clearly:

**Imagination is not sin.

Joy is not compromise.
And Christmas traditions cannot undo a Christ-centered home.**

A few ornaments on a tree do not erase the faith, tone, or spiritual atmosphere we intentionally cultivated all year long.

My children never confused Santa with their Savior — because Jesus was the One we lifted high in our home.

And God, who looks at the heart, saw our sincerity the entire time.

“People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
— 1 Samuel 16:7 (NLT)

Friend, if you’ve ever felt shamed for allowing space for joy and imagination… breathe grace.
You can enjoy Santa as a childhood tradition and honor Christ as your King.

✨ 2. The Christmas Tree — A Reminder of Everlasting Life

For a long time, this symbol troubled me too. I had heard people say, “The Christmas tree is pagan!” or “Jeremiah 10 condemns it!”

But when I actually read Jeremiah 10, I realized it describes idols carved from wood, not evergreen trees adorned with beauty.

And historically, the modern Christmas tree began among Christians in 16th-century Germany, who used the evergreen as a symbol of:

• God’s everlasting life

• hope in the midst of winter

• His unchanging faithfulness

When placed in a Christ-centered home, the Christmas tree becomes a visual reminder:

Jesus brings life that never fades.

✨ 3. Christmas Lights — The Light of Christ in a Dark World

I love how Christmas lights glow softly on winter nights.
Early believers used candles to point to the coming Messiah — the Light of the World.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.”
— John 1:5 (NLT)

Every small light becomes a quiet sermon:
Jesus still shines.
Jesus still rescues.
Jesus still breaks the darkness.

✨ 4. Gift-Giving — A Reflection of God’s Heart

Some feel guilty about presents, afraid it encourages materialism. But giving didn’t begin with culture — it began with God Himself.

“For God loved the world so much that he gave…”
— John 3:16 (NLT)

Giving done with love — not pressure, not comparison — becomes an act of worship.

🌿 So… Is It Wrong to Enjoy These Traditions?

Here is the truth God gently taught me:

**Traditions are not the enemy.

A distracted heart is.**

You can reshape any tradition to reflect Jesus.
You can keep what points to Him and release what doesn’t.
You can embrace joy without losing reverence.

And as parents, God does not measure us by perfection, but by faithfulness, sincerity, and love.

“As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him.”
— Psalm 103:13 (NLT)

“Bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.”
— Ephesians 6:4 (NLT)
(This is about guidance, not guilt.)

You are not failing when you celebrate with joy — you are teaching your children that the God of the universe is the source of both truth and delight.

🌿 Reflection

• What Christmas traditions hold meaning for me and my family?

• Have I carried fear or shame that God never intended me to carry?

• How can I reshape this season to reflect Jesus more fully?

🌿 A Prayer for Week Two

Father, thank You for teaching me to separate fear from truth.
Help me keep Jesus at the center of my home while embracing the joy, beauty, and wonder this season brings.
Heal any old wounds of judgment, and guide my heart with grace, wisdom, and peace.
Amen.

✨ Next Week: A Journey of Wonder

Join me as we explore:

➡️ “The Star and the Seekers: Who Were the Wise Men Really?”

It’s a message full of clarity, biblical truth, and the breathtaking wonder of the first people who recognized Jesus as King.

💬 I’d love to hear from you:
Have you ever struggled with Christmas traditions or felt judged for how you celebrate?
Share your heart in the comments — your story may comfort someone else.

For more devotionals, visit HisWordsMinistry.com.