How did December 25 become a Christian celebration? The most respected of several theories states that December 25 was the birthday of the invincible sun, the day when pagans honored the sun god, Mitras. History relates that from mid-December till early January, non-Christians in Rome held festivities, which included drunkenness and other corrupted practices. During the fourth century, Christians in Rome decided to directly challenge the pagan god and the practices associated with his birthday. They proclaimed the same day as the day of Jesus' birthday, stating that Jesus is the true Sun of Justice that brings light to a dark world. As the pagans got drunk, the Christians, who were in the minority, observed the day with reverence.

The pagan celebrations were introduced in the United States as the European immigrants began to settle here. The Puritans did not celebrate it, but others did, by hunting, dancing, and getting drunk. Violence was recorded in some of the early Christmas celebrations in the United States. The first Police Corps of New York City was organized after a violent Christmas riot. As these things happened, some people worked hard to make Christmas a family-oriented season, with beautiful activities. They accomplished some of their objectives, but through the years Christmas has become, for many, a consumers' festival, a time for holiday specials. It is also significant that more than 80 percent of the public in this country believe that Christmas has spiritual relevance and they see this season as a time for reflection.

Regardless of what we think or do, Christmas is here to stay. It will happen whether we like it or not. So what can we do? Following are a few options:

• Party, get drunk, and be violent like the pagans did.

• Ignore Christmas, since we know it is not really Jesus' birthday anyway, and criticize those who celebrate it.

• Enjoy the season and use it to make others aware of Jesus in our neighborhood, workplace, church, and community.

I like what Ellen G. White had to say in The Adventist Home, p. 478: "As the twenty-fifth of December is observed to commemorate the birth of Christ, as the children have been instructed by precept and example that this was indeed a day of gladness and rejoicing, you will find it a difficult matter to pass over this period without giving it some attention. It can be made to serve a very good purpose."

In our home, we see Christmas as a season of opportunities to serve a good purpose, a time of enjoyment and happiness, a time to celebrate the fact that Jesus was born, a time to point others to Him, not only through words, but with acts of kindness and love. We enjoy sitting by the fireplace to talk and reenact the nativity story. Our kids know that Christmas is not only about receiving gifts and blessings, but primarily about giving love, peace, and salvation to others, just as Jesus did and continues to do during and since His first Advent.

We remember that Immanuel means "God with us." (Matthew 1:23, NIV). My knowledge of history will not keep me from remembering that God is with us, that Jesus was born to make my life and yours better, and to give us salvation and hope. I will use this season, as well as other seasons, to share Him, always keeping in mind that during this time of the year, more than 80 percent of Americans are willing to think and reflect on their spiritual lives. Christmas is a season of opportunities in the home, the church, and the community.

José Cortés is the director for the Youth Ministries, Pathfinder, and Adventurer departments in the Atlantic Union.

Connect with him on Facebook and Twitter at: https://www.facebook.com/PastorJoseCortesJr, https://www.facebook.com/JoseCortesJr, and https://twitter.com/JoseCortesJr.