List of Churches That Don’t Celebrate Christmas and Why
Every year on December 25th, millions of Christians across the globe commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s a season of joy, family reunions, and celebrations marked by lights, songs, and feasts. For many, Christmas is a highlight of the year, combining both religious significance and cultural festivities. However, not all Christians join in this global celebration. Some churches and denominations refrain from observing Christmas, citing doctrinal or historical reasons.
While it may seem unusual to some, these churches base their decisions on their interpretation of the Bible, historical evidence, and their desire to avoid practices they believe have questionable origins. Let’s explore five notable churches that don’t celebrate Christmas, the reasons behind their stance, and what they do instead.
1. Jehovah’s Witnesses
The Jehovah’s Witnesses are perhaps the most well-known group that rejects Christmas celebrations. For them, Christmas is not a biblically endorsed holiday but rather a tradition rooted in pagan customs. They believe that participating in Christmas festivities would mean engaging in “false religious beliefs or activities.” Historically, the Jehovah’s Witnesses celebrated Christmas just like other Christian groups. However, their understanding of its origins led them to discontinue the practice in 1928. This change was explained in their 1993 publication, Jehovah’s Witnesses: Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, which states:
“This discovery caused the Witnesses to eventually stop celebrating Christmas like every other Christian.”
Their reasoning goes beyond historical roots. Jehovah’s Witnesses also avoid birthday celebrations, considering them inconsistent with biblical teachings. This view is why they consider Christmas – a celebration of Jesus’ birth – unnecessary and inappropriate.
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2. Seventh-Day Adventist Church
The Seventh-Day Adventist Church holds a unique perspective on Christmas. Members of this denomination believe that Jesus was not born in December, and the Bible does not command Christians to commemorate His birth. For them, Christmas is viewed as a commercialized event heavily influenced by pagan traditions. While they do not outright forbid their members from celebrating Christmas, the church emphasizes personal choice in the matter. They encourage followers to focus on their relationship with Christ rather than attaching significance to worldly customs. As they put it, Christmas and Easter celebrations are considered “a matter of personal preference.” By distancing themselves from Christmas, Seventh-Day Adventists aim to redirect attention toward spiritual growth and faith in Christ.
3. Deeper Life Bible Church
In Nigeria, the Deeper Life Bible Church is a prominent denomination known for its conservative stance on many societal and religious practices, including Christmas. The church has a clear position against celebrating Christmas, viewing it as a holiday with pagan origins. Pastor W.F. Kumuyi, the church’s general overseer, addressed this issue during a December retreat in 2013, saying:
“We don’t celebrate Christmas. In actuality, it had an idolatrous origin.”
The church argues that traditional Christmas customs, such as festive songs and decorations, are not biblically based. To replace the December celebration, Deeper Life Bible Church holds an annual event in October called Freedom Day. This event honors the birth of Jesus Christ while avoiding the associations they believe Christmas has with paganism.
4. God’s Kingdom Society (GKS)
The God’s Kingdom Society (GKS) shares similar beliefs with the Deeper Life Bible Church regarding Christmas. This church considers Christmas to be deeply rooted in Roman pagan traditions, particularly the festival of Saturnalia, which was a celebration of the sun god. GKS believes these pagan elements make Christmas incompatible with true Christian worship. Instead, like Deeper Life, they commemorate the birth of Jesus in October with an event called Freedom Day. According to their teachings, this date aligns more closely with historical and biblical interpretations of when Jesus might have been born. The church emphasizes that Christians should worship in truth and spirit, steering clear of customs they believe compromise the faith.
5. Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM)
Another church that refrains from celebrating Christmas is the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM). The church believes that Christmas has no biblical foundation and is instead rooted in pagan traditions and Roman celebrations like Saturnalia. In 2019, the founder of MFM made the church’s stance clear, stating that Christmas lacks a theological basis and is not a part of Christian worship as taught in the Bible. For the church, prioritizing spiritual growth and deliverance over cultural practices is essential.
Why These Churches Avoid Christmas
A common thread runs through the beliefs of these churches: a desire to adhere strictly to biblical teachings and avoid traditions they view as influenced by paganism. Many of them see Christmas as a product of cultural compromise rather than a truly Christian celebration. They argue that the holiday’s emphasis on decorations, gifts, and feasting distracts from the spiritual essence of Christianity. While their decisions may seem unconventional to many Christians, these churches remain steadfast in their convictions. They encourage their members to focus on cultivating a personal relationship with Christ, free from societal pressures to conform to popular practices.
Conclusion
The decision not to celebrate Christmas may surprise those who view the holiday as a universal Christian tradition. However, for churches like the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventists, Deeper Life Bible Church, God’s Kingdom Society, and Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, this choice is rooted in deeply held beliefs about faith and worship. Their stance serves as a reminder of the diversity within Christianity and the different ways believers interpret and practice their faith. Whether one celebrates Christmas or not, the key takeaway is the shared goal of drawing closer to Christ – the reason for the season for many Christians.
