Live Free with Josh Howerton — Episode Summary

Episode: NO, Christmas Is Not A Pagan Holiday...
Podcast: Live Free with Josh Howerton, Lakepointe Church
Date: December 15, 2025
Host & Guests:

• Josh Howerton (Lead Pastor)
• Carlos Rasman (Co-host)
• Paul Cunningham (Co-host)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode tackles widespread claims that Christmas is a "pagan holiday," exploring the origins of Christmas traditions such as December 25th, the Christmas tree, and Santa Claus. The hosts fact-check popular internet arguments, provide Christian theological context, and encourage listeners to keep Christ at the center of their holiday celebration. The conversation is lively, humorous, and packed with historical and biblical insights.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Is Christmas a Pagan Holiday?

• Common Claims: Online discourse (TikTok, memes, History Channel, etc.) often asserts that Christmas borrows from Sol Invictus, Saturnalia, or other pagan traditions, and that elements like the Christmas tree are “pagan.”
• Hosts’ Main Argument: These assertions are either historically inaccurate or misunderstand how Christian tradition evolves.
• Framework for Discernment:
  • Mark Driscoll’s paradigm: "Should Christians receive, reject, or redeem cultural practices?" ([49:12])

2. Debunking the Myths

December 25th and Pagan Festivals

• Claim: December 25th was chosen because of Sol Invictus or Saturnalia.
• Fact-Check:
  • Early Christians believed Jesus died March 25th, and by a tradition of holy people dying/born on the same date, they calculated His conception at that time, leading to a December 25th birth ([53:53], [54:38]).
  • The first links of Sol Invictus to December 25th appear after Christians were already celebrating Christmas on that date ([52:36]).
  • Roman emperor Aurelian possibly moved Sol Invictus to compete with Christian celebrations, not the other way around ([56:01]).
  • Saturnalia ran from December 17–21, not the 25th ([58:09]).
  • No historical evidence connects Saturnalia directly to Christmas traditions.
• Quote:
  • “It’s literally the exact opposite of what you get in your little TikTok deconstruction videos. It’s not that Christmas tried to take the place of Sol Invictus, it’s the opposite.” (Josh, [56:17])

The Christmas Tree

• Claim: Trees are pagan, and Jeremiah forbids them.
• Origins:
  • Three possible Christian origin stories:
    1. St. Boniface (8th century) cut down an oak worshipped by pagans, used a fir to point to Christ ([63:38]).
    2. The ‘Paradise Tree’ used in medieval Europe represented the Garden of Eden, decorated on Dec 24th ([65:18]).
    3. Martin Luther (16th century) brought a tree indoors, decorated with candles to illustrate Christ as the Light ([69:46]).
  • Not linked to pagan idol worship; European traditions developed independently ([62:17]).
• Jeremiah 10:
  • The passage condemns making idols from trees, not decorative trees ([72:23]).
• Quote:
  • “Jeremiah’s not talking about Christians putting up a tree in their house... He’s talking about craftsmen making idols.” (Josh, [73:12])

Santa Claus

• Myth: Santa’s roots are pagan.
• Origins:
  • St. Nicholas, a 4th-century Christian bishop, known for generosity and theological zeal (including slapping the heretic Arius at Nicaea!) ([75:05]).
  • Dutch ‘Sinterklaus’ comes to America, merges with other traditions to become Santa Claus.
  • 1800s poets and 20th century Coca-Cola marketing solidify the modern image.
• Practical Approach:
  • Families should avoid lying but can distinguish “lies, secrets, surprises, and pretend” ([75:05]).
  • Encouraged: teach the history, let kids enjoy “pretend,” but keep Jesus at the center ([83:26]).
• Quote:
  • “We say no to lies and secrets... but we say yes to surprising and pretending.” (Josh, [75:05])

3. Deeper Theological Reflection: Joy vs. Happiness

• Joy Defined:
  • Joy is not the same as happiness; the world offers happiness based on circumstances (“happenings”), but Christian joy is rooted in Jesus ([15:41]).
  • Examples: Paul in Philippians—rejoicing while imprisoned; perseverance under trial ([15:41]-[32:39]).
• Ecclesiastes Parallel:
  • “Everything is meaningless… under the sun”—lasting satisfaction can’t be found in earthly things, but only in Christ ([20:50], [26:19]).
• Practical Advice:
  • Joy is both gift and discipline; to recover joy, confess sin, recount God’s works, reclaim Christian practices, and worship even in hard times ([35:17], [40:53]-[44:57]).
• Quote:
  • “Happiness is based on happenings. Joy is based on Jesus.” (Josh, [15:41])
  • “You have to realize Christianity is not a whole bunch of 'has to,' it's a bunch of 'gets to.'” (Carlos, [27:51])

4. Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I’m for sure polytheistic pagan when it comes to trees.” (Paul, joking about having five Christmas trees, [02:36])
• “Maybe you ought to tell him... Him.” [reading from Home Alone’s original script, showing Christian themes] (Josh, [12:35])
• “Don’t try to be tougher than Jesus.” (Josh, [44:57])
• “Keep the X in Xmas.” (Josh, explaining the Greek letter chi, [85:21])

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “We are sorrowful, but we are always rejoicing.” (Josh, [15:41])
• “Jesus... was anointed with the oil of joy beyond all of his companions—he’s the happiest guy who ever lived.” (Josh, [41:34])
• “If you want to walk with Jesus, long-term, guilt will not be enough, or a fear of hell… it has to be joy.” (Carlos, [27:37])
• “If you look at your life, what you will notice is in every season of your life, there is one of these things… under the sun that my heart is… chasing more than the Creator.” (Josh, [32:46])
• “Anything short of hell is a gift of grace.” (Paul, [38:35])
• “Let’s not give Jesus our leftovers.” (Paul, [83:29])

Important Timestamps for Key Segments

• Debunking "Christmas is Pagan": [46:23] – [62:13]
• Christmas Tree Origins: [62:13] – [71:13]
• Discussion of Santa Claus: [73:36] – [83:20]
• Joy vs. Happiness Reflection: [15:41] – [44:57]
• Ecclesiastes & Christian Desires: [20:50], [26:19], [32:46]
• Practical Joy Application: [35:17], [40:53], [44:57]
• “Keep the X in Xmas": [85:21]

Summary Table: Common Internet Claims Addressed

| Claim | Hosts’ Response | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------|------------------|-----------| | Christmas is based on Sol Invictus| Not true; the Christian date predates Roman use; possibly the Romans copied Christians | [52:00]–[56:17] | | Saturnalia is the source of Christmas| False; Saturnalia ended before Dec 25th | [58:09] | | Christmas trees are pagan / Jeremiah forbids them | No, origins are Christian; Jeremiah refers to idol-making | [62:13]–[73:12] | | Santa Claus is pagan | No, he’s rooted in St. Nicholas, a Christian bishop | [75:05]–[80:12] | | 'Xmas' erases Christ | No, 'X' is chi, the first letter of Christos (Greek for Christ) | [85:21] |

Takeaway & Application

• Christmas Celebrations: Christians can joyfully celebrate Christmas, including traditions like the Christmas tree and Santa Claus, without guilt. The origins are either Christian or have been redeemed by Christians for worship.
• Keep Christ Central: Teach children about the real St. Nicholas, highlight Jesus’ birth and its significance, and treat symbolic traditions as pointers—not replacements—for the gospel.
• Joy in Christ: Seek a joy that transcends circumstances, rooted in Jesus and cultivated through worship, confession, and purposeful living.

Final Thought

"The real Christmas gift did not come wrapped in a beautiful package and set under a tree. It came wrapped in flesh and it was offered nailed to a tree. Don’t miss that." (Carlos, [86:20])

For further resources, detailed discipleship guides, or to revisit source material, visit lakepointe.church/digital.