Muslims and American Christmas
Can Muslims put up a Christmas tree? Seems like a simple question, but search the internet and you will find a wide variety of answers. Some Muslims will write that a Christmas tree is not Christian and it actually predates Christianity, so it is ok. Another will quote Mohammed who said that Muslims cannot imitate other religions or they will be corrupted by them. And in the middle ground some people say that it is a matter of your heart. If you like a Christmas tree and think it is pretty, then that’s all that matters. Go ahead and get a Christmas tree. So, there is a wide range of views among Muslims here in the US on this subject.
It is at the same time quite interesting that there are tens of millions of Americans who do not follow Christ, but they have a Christmas tree and exchange gifts on Christmas with family and friends. This must be so confusing to new Muslim refugees and immigrants. They hear of Christmas as it is talked about on the radio, in schools, and in TV commercials. The streets of almost every main street in America will have decorations and festive lights on display. On the radio and through email blasts you will hear daily updates on the number of shopping days before Christmas. There are Christmas specials available for washing machines and automobiles and everything in between. It all seems to be painted with the same brush, doesn't it? Then there are those who don’t say Merry Christmas. They say, “Season’s Greetings” and go out of their way to avoid saying the word Christmas. If a confused Muslim says “Merry Christmas” to them, just trying to be polite and fit into American culture, they can receive a rude comment back.
Many Muslims come to the West with the belief that all Westerners are Christian. Just as they believe that all Afghans or all Saudis are Muslim. With this lens of looking at America, especially in the blurring of faith and culture during the Christmas season, there can be many reasons why Muslims don’t want anything to do with the Christian faith. It is so important for Christians at this time to have interactions with Muslims and carefully find ways to point out the differences between a true believer in Christ who lives in America and all the other people who live in America. This can be a fine line. We don’t want to become pharisaical, or have a holier than thou attitude. We need to speak with gentleness and great humility. But if we say nothing, why would a Muslim father or mother want to follow Christ or have their son or daughter follow Christ? Would you want your children following a religion that you thought promoted sex and alcohol? Because that is what they see portrayed in movies and advertisements.
We need to find ways to build a spiritual reputation among our Muslim friends that is genuine and humble. We need to ask the hard question: “Have we just absorbed our culture around us as normal?” And are we silently communicating that same thing to our children, friends, and neighbors? What are some ways that you could build a spiritual reputation among your Muslim friends? With your other friends and family members? Do you bring up the name of Christ in conversation? Do you tell bible stories and apply them to everyday life issues? Are you offering to pray and praying for your Muslim friends? Do they know you have a regular quiet time of Bible reading and quiet reflection? Muslims go to the mosque daily and do their prayers visibly in front of others- theirs is a very visible faith. Do they see you live out your faith? We don’t pray to be seen by others, because Jesus taught us that. We are not to brag or show off, but they do need to see you have an active faith. We need to pray and live out our faith with humility and tenderness. This will be how they differentiate you from the rest of the Americans around you. Advent starts on November 27. Perhaps you could use an Advent calendar and talk about Advent as a preparation time for Christmas as a way to incorporate your faith into daily life?
It is at the same time quite interesting that there are tens of millions of Americans who do not follow Christ, but they have a Christmas tree and exchange gifts on Christmas with family and friends. This must be so confusing to new Muslim refugees and immigrants. They hear of Christmas as it is talked about on the radio, in schools, and in TV commercials. The streets of almost every main street in America will have decorations and festive lights on display. On the radio and through email blasts you will hear daily updates on the number of shopping days before Christmas. There are Christmas specials available for washing machines and automobiles and everything in between. It all seems to be painted with the same brush, doesn't it? Then there are those who don’t say Merry Christmas. They say, “Season’s Greetings” and go out of their way to avoid saying the word Christmas. If a confused Muslim says “Merry Christmas” to them, just trying to be polite and fit into American culture, they can receive a rude comment back.
Many Muslims come to the West with the belief that all Westerners are Christian. Just as they believe that all Afghans or all Saudis are Muslim. With this lens of looking at America, especially in the blurring of faith and culture during the Christmas season, there can be many reasons why Muslims don’t want anything to do with the Christian faith. It is so important for Christians at this time to have interactions with Muslims and carefully find ways to point out the differences between a true believer in Christ who lives in America and all the other people who live in America. This can be a fine line. We don’t want to become pharisaical, or have a holier than thou attitude. We need to speak with gentleness and great humility. But if we say nothing, why would a Muslim father or mother want to follow Christ or have their son or daughter follow Christ? Would you want your children following a religion that you thought promoted sex and alcohol? Because that is what they see portrayed in movies and advertisements.
We need to find ways to build a spiritual reputation among our Muslim friends that is genuine and humble. We need to ask the hard question: “Have we just absorbed our culture around us as normal?” And are we silently communicating that same thing to our children, friends, and neighbors? What are some ways that you could build a spiritual reputation among your Muslim friends? With your other friends and family members? Do you bring up the name of Christ in conversation? Do you tell bible stories and apply them to everyday life issues? Are you offering to pray and praying for your Muslim friends? Do they know you have a regular quiet time of Bible reading and quiet reflection? Muslims go to the mosque daily and do their prayers visibly in front of others- theirs is a very visible faith. Do they see you live out your faith? We don’t pray to be seen by others, because Jesus taught us that. We are not to brag or show off, but they do need to see you have an active faith. We need to pray and live out our faith with humility and tenderness. This will be how they differentiate you from the rest of the Americans around you. Advent starts on November 27. Perhaps you could use an Advent calendar and talk about Advent as a preparation time for Christmas as a way to incorporate your faith into daily life?
Additional Posts
Choosing a Missions Organization: Why SEND International Stands Out “Why should I be a missionary through SEND International?” Jenna, a new missionary in Eastern Europe, shared with us what she appreciates about working with SEND. The highlights for her are: - Devotion to prayer - Diligence in communication - Commitment to development - Intentionality in accountability Prayer “Back in September of 2022, the Lord reconnected me with SEND after I had met them a year prior at the Moody Bible Institute. However, before he would sign me up for anything, my Missions Coach encouraged me to pray. He said something to the effect of, "I know that you've been praying on your own for a long time. But as the Church, we are not called to walk alone. So, you and I won't talk for about a month unless you have questions. I want you to go pray with 5 or 6 others from your church about where God is calling you." That October, more than 10 friends prayed with me and we saw God answer as He directed me to Romania. From February 2024 to November 2025, I had the pleasure of being a part of team meetings in Romania with my SEND colleagues. Our meetings were four hours long, two for prayer and two for business. This has been the minimum for our team. There are also prayer meetings with the local churches we partner with, among smaller groups within our team, of course prayer with many of you across the pond, including those at our US office. The organization was built, has been sustained, and continues to run on prayer. This is my favorite thing about SEND. Communication As I mentioned above, we have a two hour block for business / ministry details in each of our meetings. This provides consistency across our team which works alongside three different churches and in a variety of ministries. It also helps us to communicate about the need for change or growth, alongside what is working well. In addition, my team director also meets with each of us, allowing us to communicate needs, considerations, and prayer requests. I've also enjoyed getting to work with SEND workers outside of my immediate region . We receive emails with the minutes from the Europe leadership team, Friday communications from our international director, and information regarding projects that affect our work among the unreached. In December of 2024, our international director at the time wrote a note to my parents for the first Christmas that I was gone. If nothing else had convinced my mom yet, this did. He took the time to care for me, but also to care well for the parents that were sending me (What it meant to my dad and mom for him to do this well has been one of the greatest ways I've been supported.). I also have some pretty wonderful regional directors. These people have prayed alongside us (while also serving in their own countries of service), they have taken time to come visit and encourage our team, and they have also taken the time to encourage the people in our churches. Development SEND has provided much in the area of development and care (spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally). At our regional conference (every three years), there have been medical check ups available, counseling options, and time for connecting with others on the field with similar experience. At our conference last October, I connected with a missionary who served overseas for many years, and is now serving on the administrative side of SEND. She has met with me since then for mentorship and has also invested much of her time recently in preparing a retreat for the singles across Europe. Accountability Over the years I have read and heard amazing stories of how God has worked through missionaries. God has done great things and great things He is still doing! However, people who have committed their lives to the Lord in this way are not “super Christians”. We are still humans with the same struggle against flesh that others have . A major challenge is in being isolated -- living in areas with little to no presence of other believers to sharpen them can cause many difficulties. SEND has been a great resource in this area too. Through my team, I have an accountability partner that I meet with monthly. When my regional director came to visit, he and his wife spent a day with me and asked intentional questions about how I lead, handle conflict, and how I am growing in general as a Christian. In addition, my teammates share their wisdom with me on a regular basis. These things and more have assured me that SEND International is a highly valuable organization and I'm excited to partner with them in service to, for, and with our great God! Interested in being sent by SEND?
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Explore Georgia's spiritual heritage and the impact of SEND International's mission. Join us in fostering authentic relationships today!
