Overcoming Your Christmas Skepticism

Popular atheists claim that we’ve outgrown the need for God, much like we shed our childhood belief in Santa Claus. Recent studies indicate that this might hold some truth, as the number of people adhering to Christianity is on the decline while the ranks of the religiously unaffiliated, the “nones,” are swelling.

At the same time, Christmas has perhaps never been more popular. Just consider that this year alone, nearly 100 Christmas movies are set to be released. Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales revenues are higher than in previous years. Since Thanksgiving, numerous radio stations have been playing Christmas songs around the clock, reassuring us that Santa Claus is on his way. From a commercial perspective, Christmas is more prominent than ever (no pun intended).

So, how is it that the spiritual following of Christianity is decreasing while the popularity of its main holiday is increasing?

Temporary Fixes for Deep Wounds

Maybe it’s because in an increasingly cynical and negative world, we’re desperate for hope and positivity. Characters like Frosty the Snowman and Buddy the Elf offer us these things without asking us to make any spiritual commitments. Let’s be honest: in our divided society, a bit of sugary cheer can help to sweeten the bitter pill we’ve been swallowing lately.

Christianity used to offer hope to many through the story of Jesus’s birth. However, skeptical attacks on the religion have chipped away at people’s confidence in this narrative. Just as surely as Christmas movies flood the airwaves during this season, there’s an uptick in TV shows and books that question the Bible’s authenticity. At holiday parties, conversations often turn to the supposed pagan origins of Christmas and the alleged lack of evidence for the historical Jesus.

It seems that few people are aware of the actual evidence that supports the story of Jesus’s birth, life, death, and resurrection, and how this evidence justifies our belief—or at least merits our consideration. As a result, we’re left with no solid foundation for lasting hope. Instead, we’re relying on messages like Rudolph’s victory over bullying, George Bailey realizing the importance of his life, and Clark Griswold learning that Christmas is about family. While these messages are good, they’re merely temporary fixes for our deeper spiritual wounds.

Self – Medication That Doesn’t Heal

Sooner or later, the allure of commercial Christmas fades away. This temporary fix doesn’t actually heal our spiritual or emotional ills. And when it’s gone, we’re left with nothing to help us get through the dreary months of January and February. For many, life has far more of these difficult, joyless months than it does the festive ones like December. The shorter, colder days of winter can bring on the blues, and with no other major holidays on the horizon for months, the gloom can set in.

When the glitter and hype of commercial Christmas wear off, many of us are left ill – equipped to face the monotony and melancholy of the post – holiday period.

Perhaps the reason Christmas is growing in popularity while Christianity is in decline is that for far too long, sincere questions about the faith have gone unanswered. Is it really reasonable to believe that someone could be born of a virgin? Did God truly guide astrologers from the East with a star to visit a child who would become the king of the universe?

The key to finding the answers lies in connecting the beginning of the story to the end.

Christmas takes on profound meaning when we link it to another Christian holiday, Easter. The core of the Christian message is that Jesus rose from the dead on Easter, proving that his death on the cross atoned for our sins. Through his resurrection, he revealed himself to be the Savior. The Bible makes it clear that if Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, the Christian faith isn’t worth believing (1 Cor. 15:14). In other words, Christmas loses its significance without Easter.

Moving Beyond Cynicism

I was once a firm critic who demanded proof for the tenets of Christianity. After nine years of research, I found the evidence so persuasive that I became a Christian. I didn’t outgrow my belief in God; rather, I overcame my cynicism about Christianity. The evidence worked in an unexpected way. The fact that Jesus rose from the dead made his virgin birth seem almost like a natural part of the story. Christmas sets the stage for Easter, and Easter gives meaning to Christmas.

I still hold out hope that we can experience the spiritual side of Christmas anew. Amid the countless holiday movies, A Charlie Brown Christmas stands out for its lasting appeal and its profound message. Charlie Brown becomes so disenchanted with the commercialism of Christmas that he can’t contain his frustration. “Can anyone tell me the true meaning of Christmas?!” he cries out to his friends.

His friend Linus steps up and recites Luke 2:8–14. These verses tell the story of the Savior’s birth and how it marks the reconciliation between God and humanity. Indeed, the show ends with the kids singing “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” with voices full of hope: “Peace on earth and mercy mild; God and sinners reconciled.”

So, what should a skeptic do about Christmas? Maybe start by asking Charlie Brown’s question and seeking an answer. This could be the way to move beyond the increasingly shallow nature of the holiday season and the accompanying cynicism. Perhaps all of us can discover a way to embrace the season with a sense of lasting joy and peace.