Around Christmas, I often receive e-mails with comments to persuade me that I should not celebrate as it is a pagan celebration. Their criticisms remind me of a very dear Muslim friend’s question. He wrote: “As a Muslim, I see Christmas Tree and Christmas Eve celebrations as pagan rites. You used to be a Muslim. How do you now, as a Christian, make room for such a pagan celebration?”
I sent him my response by video, both in English and Urdu. The following is the Script of my English version. For the 8-minute video, you may scroll down this page.
At Christmas, when I look at the twinkling lights on a tree decorated to celebrate the birth of Christ, although many memories come to mind, above all, I am reminded of the passage of the scriptures: “God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5).
Since God Himself is the Light, He alone is capable and worthy to enlighten the world. Both the Qur’an and the Bible acknowledge that God created the heavens and the earth, Khalaq allh samawat wa al-ardh. Both books say that God Almighty is the Light of the world.
Although both books consider Christ the Word and Spirit of God, it is the Bible that not only gives an exposition of these attributes but also that Christ is the Light of the world - Nur al-Alam. God created the world through His Word, whom we know as the Christ, and that nothing was created without Him (John 1: 3).
Christ is not only the Word of God and the Spirit but also the Light of God. That is why when the Bible speaks of his coming into the world, it also declares Christ as the true Light of God (John 1: 9). This is the Light that was revealed to many prophets. Christians and Muslims are aware of the story of Moses. Yes, it is the Light that not only has the power to consume but also has the power to give life.
At His coming, the world was given a choice to receive grace from God as it is written, “Whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:15-17). Friends, this world is sinking into darkness, but rescue is possible only through Christ, the Divine Light.
Perhaps you know that Muslims celebrate Laylutul Qadr every year, the night of power, also known as the night of destiny. Muslims say that at this night, God ascends to the lowest heaven near the earth to hear the prayers of the people. But the truth for us Christians is that God, who is the Light of the universe and the world, did not just stop at the lower heaven. He sent his own Christ, the Messiah, to live among people seven hundred years before the Prophet of Islam. Christ is the one whose good news was given by prophets. He was also called Emanuel - meaning God with us.
So obviously, God’s presence and dwelling was in heaven and among human beings through Christ and continues in them through His Spirit. Muslims and Christians believe God is the Light of the heavens and the earth. Christ, too, spoke of Himself as the Light: Ana huwa nur al-alam, I am the Light of the world. He said, man yatba’ni, ‘Whoever follows me,’ fala yamshi fiz zulmat - will not walk in darkness, bal yakunu lahu nur al-Hayat - rather, he will receive the Light of life - (John 8:12). Christ blessed this honor on his followers as well, saying, Antum Noorul alam “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).
What an honor it is that a follower now worships God not as a slave but as a child of the family of God. Because having inherited the Light, those who have accepted him have the right to become the children of God. They are those who believe in His name (1 John 3:1; John 1:12).
Let me share one more thing with you. We, too, celebrate ‘Laylutul Qadr’ – the night of power, which we often call Christmas Eve. It was that night that His presence came down and lived in this world, and even after his ascension from the Day of Pentecost, His Spirit remains in the hearts of his believers. Christ is the Light of the world who gives us permission to ask (pray) in his name. This is that Light of God that when one of the disciples, Philip, said: ‘Show us the Father, and it will be enough for us,’ Jesus replied, ‘Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’ (John 14:9-11)?
So dear friends, when Christians celebrate the birth of Christ, this is also a reminder that the very Christ, who is the Light and the Savior, is coming back with his full glory as the Judge. That will be the time when every knee will bow down as the Scriptures say in his name (Philippians 2:10).
So dear friends, until then, Christ the Light of the world is knocking on the door of every heart and is inviting, ‘Come, be enlightened by my light.’ Friends, the invitation is there for you to choose. The decision is in your hand. May you choose the Light. Thank you.