A Christian NOT Celebrating Christmas as a Religious Day?

It often surprises people to learn that, as a devout Christian, I do not celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday. Many religious groups claim we must “put Christ back in Christmas.” Why, then, would a Bible-believing Christian choose not to participate in Christmas religious ceremonies?

Seeking New Testament Authority

My primary reason is a conviction to follow the teachings of Jesus and His apostles as revealed in the New Testament.

Nowhere in the Bible is the celebration of Jesus’ birth commanded or practiced. The early church left no record of observing Christmas. Instead, the holiday was introduced centuries later and faced strong opposition from early Christians.

The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge notes:

Christian preachers of the West and the Near East protested against the unseemly frivolity (silly or lighthearted behavior) with which Christ’s birthday was celebrated, while Christians of Mesopotamia accused their western brethren of idolatry (worshiping false gods) and sun worship for adopting as Christian this pagan festival.

Some argue that celebrating Christmas is still good because it honors God. However, we must be careful not to assume that what pleases us automatically pleases God. (For more on this, see the article “Just Because We Want It Doesn’t Mean God Wants It”).

Consider these biblical examples of worshiping without God’s permission:

• The Danger of Presumption: King David and the prophet Nathan sincerely wanted to build a temple for God (2 Samuel 7). Yet, God corrected them because He had never commanded them to do so. Sincere intentions do not justify unauthorized worship.
• Unauthorized Changes: King Jeroboam changed God’s worship laws to suit his own convenience, which led to spiritual ruin (1 Kings 12:25-33).
• Commandments of Men: The Pharisees added human traditions to God’s law. Jesus rebuked them:

And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. — Matthew 15:9

Pagan Origins and Syncretism

Another reason is the mixture of Christian names with pagan traditions. Syncretism (blending different religious beliefs) occurred when early church leaders merged Christian concepts with Roman winter festivals like Saturnalia and Brumalia.

As the Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia explains:

The pagan Saturnalia and Brumalia were too deeply entrenched in popular custom to be set aside by Christian influence…The pagan festival with it’s riot and merrymaking was so popular that Christians were glad of an excuse to continue its celebration with little change in spirit and in manner.

If worshiping God without His authority is wrong, then basing religious celebrations on pagan festivals is even more concerning. God has always demanded that His people keep their worship pure and separate from idolatry.

Rejecting Man-Made Liturgy

Finally, the word “Christmas” literally means “Christ’s Mass.” This is a liturgical (formal religious ritual) practice established by the Catholic Church.

As a non-Catholic Christian, I do not follow Catholic traditions. Instead, I observe the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week (Sunday), just as Jesus commanded and the early church practiced (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

Because the New Testament does not authorize a special “Christ Mass” on December 25th, I cannot observe it as a holy day. It is surprising to see many Protestant Christians, who reject Catholic authority in other areas, fully embrace this Catholic holy day.

What About the Cultural Holiday?

This winter season is a wonderful time to visit family, share gifts, and enjoy time off from work or school. In modern culture, many symbols like Christmas trees and lights have lost their religious meaning and are enjoyed simply as secular (non-religious) traditions.

Each Christian must decide for themselves how to handle these cultural traditions. However, we must make these choices carefully, ensuring we never compromise God’s word or give glory to anyone but Him.

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References and Further Reading:

• The Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge: Entries for “C” (Christmas)
• For a detailed history of pagan influences in Christian traditions, visit the Myth and Mystery website.