Defending Christmas

It is sad to say, but in the midst of family members that consider themselves to hold the truth when it comes to christianity, I find myself defending christmas. Not just saying Merry Christmas, but also in celebrating christmas, decorating for christmas, and heaven forbid, exchanging gifts at christmas.

Unbelievable. Not only are we defending christian beliefs and traditions from atheists and the secular world, and also fellow christians? My very own brother said to me, "the bible doesn't say to celebrate his birth, only his death.", amongst some other very off-base and tasteless claims against Christmas.

??? IS that not absurd?

My answer to which was:

1. I don't celebrate his death. I celebrate his resurrection.
2. I celebrate the fact that he came to this earth to make the ultimate sacrifice for our salvation. and
3. Have you never read Luke 2? (emphasis mine):

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.
18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.
19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.