Christian Denominations That Choose Not to Celebrate Christmas

Christmas, celebrated globally on December 25, is traditionally recognized as the day Christians commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. For many, this season is marked by joyous worship, family reunions, festive music, and the exchange of gifts. However, not all Christian communities observe Christmas, often due to theological interpretations, historical considerations, or concerns about the holiday’s origins.

In this article, we explore five Christian groups that abstain from Christmas celebrations and delve into the reasons behind their stance.

Jehovah’s Witnesses: Rejecting Christmas Due to Pagan Origins

Among the most prominent Christian groups that do not celebrate Christmas are Jehovah’s Witnesses. They assert that Christmas is not rooted in authentic Christian tradition but rather stems from ancient pagan rituals. Their interpretation of Scripture highlights that the Bible neither commands the celebration of Jesus’ birth nor specifies a date for it.

After extensive research into the holiday’s background, Jehovah’s Witnesses officially discontinued Christmas observance in the late 1920s. They view the holiday as inconsistent with worship that honors God in spirit and truth.

Seventh-day Adventist Church: Emphasizing Christ-Centered Living Over Holiday Observance

The Seventh-day Adventist Church holds that December 25 is not the actual birthday of Jesus Christ and that the Bible does not mandate celebrating His birth. They also critique the commercialization and incorporation of non-Christian customs into Christmas festivities.

While the denomination as a whole does not promote Christmas as a sacred event, it respects individual members’ freedom to choose whether to participate. The church prioritizes a lifestyle focused on Christ’s teachings rather than adherence to popular cultural traditions.

Deeper Life Bible Church: Avoiding Christmas Due to Idolatrous Associations

The Deeper Life Bible Church teaches that Christmas celebrations, including carols and rituals, lack biblical foundation and were not practiced by the early church. They emphasize that many Christmas customs have origins linked to pagan sun worship.

Pastor W.F. Kumuyi, the church’s General Overseer, has explained that the church refrains from Christmas observance because of its idolatrous roots. Instead, Deeper Life commemorates Jesus’ birth through an event called Freedom Day, held annually in October, which they believe aligns more closely with biblical and historical evidence.

God’s Kingdom Society (GKS): Aligning Worship with Biblical Authenticity

God’s Kingdom Society also rejects Christmas celebrations, associating them with Roman pagan festivals such as Saturnalia, which honored the sun deity. The church contends that these practices conflict with genuine Christian worship.

Similar to Deeper Life Bible Church, GKS observes Freedom Day in October as a more biblically consistent occasion to honor Jesus’ birth, distancing themselves from December 25 festivities.

Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM): Emphasizing Biblical Purity Over Tradition

Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries teaches that Christmas lacks explicit biblical endorsement and is heavily influenced by pagan customs, particularly those from ancient Roman sun worship traditions.

The leadership of MFM openly discourages celebrating December 25 as Jesus’ birthday, emphasizing the importance of adhering strictly to biblical teachings rather than adopting cultural or historical practices with questionable origins.

Conclusion: Diverse Perspectives on Christmas Within Christianity

While Christmas remains a central celebration for many Christians worldwide, these five denominations highlight the diversity of thought regarding its observance. Their decisions to abstain from Christmas stem from a desire to maintain doctrinal purity, avoid pagan influences, and focus on authentic Christian worship. Understanding these perspectives enriches the broader conversation about faith, tradition, and cultural adaptation in contemporary Christianity.