In the housing society where I live, there are only a handful of Christians. However, many more families hang up Christmas stars, and the society management consistently organises a combined function celebrating both Christmas and New Year’s Eve. While no spiritual content is present in these celebrations, this practice subtly mainstreams Christianity and Christians at a time when divisions of all kinds are becoming sharper.
I’ve also heard a recent story from North India. One night, a group of enthusiastic Christ followers set out on their annual Christmas carol rounds. Despite the small number of Christian families in the area, their itinerary also included visits to some friendly non-Christian households. Fueled by cake and coffee, their singing became louder and more spirited as the night wore on. However, the noise began to disturb those less sympathetic in the neighbourhood. Before long, the choir found themselves surrounded by hostile locals. Initially, they were accused of creating a nuisance and disturbing the peace. But it didn’t take long for the familiar allegation of attempting conversions under the cover of darkness to surface.
Unlike the majority community, Christians have only two major festivals celebrated universally across denominations: Christmas and Easter. Of the two, Christmas is the most widely celebrated and community-oriented. But how does one continue to celebrate in times like these without offending? A Scripture that comes to mind is Romans 12:18, where the Apostle Paul advises: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Does this mean that Christians should abandon all celebrations and live in abject misery, even during festive occasions, just to keep the peace? Certainly not, Paul’s instructions do not imply bending and crawling to keep the peace at any cost. But could we strive to be more sensitive and considerate than we currently are? Perhaps it’s something worth reflecting on.
Celebrating Christmas in environments where Christians face hostility requires wisdom, sensitivity, and a focus on the true meaning of the season. Keeping the festivities simple and Christ-centered—emphasizing worship, prayer, and acts of love—can be both meaningful and appropriate.
Christmas is definitely an opportunity for churches to encourage their congregations to invite friends of other faiths to plays, services, or other activities. These events often provide a chance to subtly share the gospel. This approach can be beneficial when it feels natural, such as inviting individuals who have already shown genuine interest or with whom we share close connections. For example, if we regularly participate with people in activities like music concerts, heritage walks, or sports events together, inviting them to church can become an organic extension of those shared experiences. We do life together and celebrating Christmas is part of that.
When I was a young Christian, the Christmas season often felt lonely. I didn’t come from a Christian home, and while many of the events leading up to Christmas were organized as community gatherings, Christmas Day itself was primarily a family occasion—and I had no family to share it with. There were times when people welcomed me into their family celebrations, treating me as part of their extended family. In those moments, neither they nor I felt like I was an outsider. But there were also years when no such invitations came, and I spent Christmas alone. Loneliness cuts deepest when others are out celebrating, and during those times, the truth of Jesus’s words in Matthew 25:35—about inviting the stranger connected powerfully with me.
Jesus’ exhortation in Matthew 25 resonates most deeply with me around Christmas because He specifically calls us to include the excluded—the hungry, the thirsty, the homeless, and the prisoners. These are the ones often shunned by society, likely the loneliest and most isolated among us—without family, without friends, and possibly without anyone. Mother Teresa spent most of her adult life living out this calling, dedicating herself to serving these individuals. While I’m sure she hoped that many of those she served would turn to Christ, there is little evidence that many, if any, actually did. Of the many people Jesus himself ministered to, most did not choose to follow Him. This echoes the parable of the Sower in the synoptic gospels, where most of the seeds did not germinate.
As we invite people into our lives this Christmas, let us do so with the hope but not with the agenda of winning souls for the Lord but rather in the spirit of Matthew 25, where we serve people in this joyous season in a spirit of obedience.
Dr. Shantanu Dutta, an avid reader and writer is a former doctor with Indian Armed Forces. He has worked in the Development Sector for most of his adult life. A TRACI Society member, Dr. Dutta is also the TRACI Board member.