Some Christian denominations and churches do not celebrate Christmas, or they do so in a manner that differs from the mainstream practices. These groups may refuse to observe the holiday for a variety of theological, historical, or cultural reasons. Here are some of the main groups and the reasons behind their stance on Christmas:
Jehovah’s Witnesses
Jehovah’s Witnesses are one of the most well-known Christian groups that do not celebrate Christmas. Their opposition to the holiday stems from a combination of theological and historical considerations:
Biblical Basis: Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Christmas has no scriptural foundation. The Bible does not command Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus, nor is there any specific mention of December 25th as the day of his birth. In fact, the Bible does not even specify the date of Jesus’ birth.
Pagan Origins: The holiday’s association with pagan festivals, particularly the Roman festival of Saturnalia (which took place in December), is another reason for their opposition. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the celebration of Christmas has been corrupted by non-Christian practices, which they see as incompatible with their faith.
Materialism and Commercialism: The focus on materialism and consumerism that often accompanies Christmas is also seen as contrary to the values promoted by the Bible.
The Church of Christ (Christian Churches and Churches of Christ)
Many congregations within the Church of Christ, a Protestant denomination, do not celebrate Christmas. Their reasoning is as follows:
Silence in the Scriptures: Members of the Church of Christ adhere strictly to the principle of “speaking where the Bible speaks and being silent where the Bible is silent.” Since Christmas is not explicitly mentioned in the New Testament, they believe there is no scriptural mandate for celebrating it.
Distortion of Early Christianity: Like Jehovah’s Witnesses, some within the Church of Christ view Christmas celebrations as a later addition to Christian practices that is not rooted in early Christian tradition.
Quakers (Religious Society of Friends)
The Quakers, or the Religious Society of Friends, have a tradition of simplicity and focus on the inner spiritual life. While some Quakers do celebrate Christmas, many do not. Those who refrain from celebrating Christmas typically do so for several reasons:
Emphasis on Simplicity: Quakers reject the commercial and outwardly extravagant aspects of Christmas celebrations. Their faith emphasises living simply, and many view the secular trappings of Christmas as inconsistent with this principle.
Focus on Inner Spirituality: Quakers place more importance on the inner experience of God’s presence, rather than on outward ceremonies or observances. For some Quakers, celebrating Christmas is seen as unnecessary or as a distraction from spiritual growth.
Seventh-day Adventists
The Seventh-day Adventist Church does not have a universal ban on Christmas celebrations, but many Adventists avoid observing it in a traditional manner. Their reasons include:
Pagan Roots: Similar to Jehovah’s Witnesses, some Seventh-day Adventists are concerned about the origins of Christmas in pre-Christian pagan festivals and its lack of scriptural basis.
Emphasis on Biblical Feasts: Adventists typically focus on the biblical feasts and the observance of the Sabbath, rather than man-made holidays like Christmas. They believe in focusing on teachings and practices directly supported by the Bible.
Christ’s Birth Is Not the Focus: While they believe in the importance of Jesus’ birth, Adventists maintain that the celebration of His birth should not be institutionalised or commercialised. They prefer to focus on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Certain Protestant Denominations (e.g., some Reformed and Puritan traditions)
In the 16th and 17th centuries, various Protestant Reformers, particularly Puritans, rejected Christmas as a form of idolatry. They felt that:
No Biblical Command: The Puritans argued that, since there was no Biblical command to celebrate Christmas, any observance of it was unscriptural and a form of human invention.
Pagan Influence: They also saw the festivity as intertwined with pagan customs, such as feasting, drinking, and the exchange of gifts, which they considered distractions from true Christian worship.
Idolatry and Focus on Christ: The Puritans were wary of any practices they felt might detract from pure worship. They believed that celebrating Christmas with its outward displays and traditions was a form of idolatry, distracting from the true spiritual focus on Christ.
Eastern Orthodox Church (Some Groups)
While the majority of the Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas, there are a few minor groups within Eastern Orthodoxy that either avoid or downplay Christmas celebrations:
Theological and Liturgical Differences: Some groups within Eastern Orthodoxy may not celebrate Christmas in the way the Western church does, due to differences in theology or liturgical practices. In these cases, the focus may be more on fasting and repentance, with less emphasis on Christmas celebrations.
Alternative Observances: Some Orthodox Christians may also observe the Feast of the Nativity on a different date (January 7th, according to the Julian calendar) and do not partake in Christmas customs like gift-giving or feasting in the same way.
Deeper Life Bible Church
A few years ago, Pastor W.F. Kumuyi, the head of Deeper Life Bible Church, proclaimed to his members and to the world that his church does not observe the widely observed holiday.
Explaining why at the 2013 December retreat, he said: “We don’t celebrate Christmas. It actually came from idolatrous background. That is why you don’t hear us sing what they call Christmas carol. Never! When you find anybody coming in, or any leader, trying to introduce the idolatry of mystery Babylon, that they call Christmas and you want to bring all the Christmas carol saying that is the day that Jesus was born, and you don’t find that in the Acts of the Apostles or in the early church, then you don’t find that in my church either. If you don’t know that before, now you know. We are not trying to make the church turn like the world. We want it to be like Jesus Christ, and more like the Apostles. If you don’t have that mind with us, then you have permission to go to other places.”
Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM)
At Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), founded by Dr. Daniel Olukoya, Christmas is not celebrated because it is believed to have pagan origins and lack a biblical basis. In 2019, Dr. Olukoya made it public that the church rejects Christmas since it is not grounded in Christian theology but rather in pagan customs and the Roman celebration of Saturnalia.
The “Power Must Change Hands” ceremony, which MFM organises every year in place of Christmas, welcomes the New Year with a focus on deliverance, prayer, and spiritual combat. For the church, holiness.
God’s Kingdom Society (GKS)
According to the church’s official website, the Bible did not provide any evidence that Jesus Christ was born on December 25. Rather, they believe He was born in October and that Christmas arose from “a boisterous pagan feast in honor of the sun deity.” While most Christians celebrate Christmas in December, this church commemorates Jesus Christ’s birth anniversary in October. This is accomplished through a celebration known as Freedom Day.
The refusal to celebrate Christmas among certain Christian denominations and groups is often rooted in concerns about the holiday’s lack of Biblical foundation, its connections to pagan practices, and its potential to distract from true Christian worship. While some reject Christmas on theological grounds, others may oppose it due to its secularisation and materialism. For these groups, the focus remains on the teachings of the Bible and the life of Jesus Christ, rather than on the commercial and cultural aspects of the holiday.
