Christmas is one of the most celebrated holidays of the year to many people around the world; a time of giving, joy and reflection.

However, when it comes to Seventh-day Adventists, the question arises, Do we celebrate Christmas? The answer isn’t as simple as” yes” or” no.”

Although Adventists greatly respect the birth of Jesus Christ, their manner of handling Christmas depends on an individual; they do it based on faith, conscience and biblical principles.

No Official Church Position

The church, as a body, does not have an official word or stand concerning the observation of Christmas but rather leaves it up to the individual.

We should not be tempted to make the topic of Christmas a point of difference among us and castigate or estrange those who may have different views on it than we have.

Ellen White has provided wise counsel on this topic that remains relevant for us today:

“We are now nearing the close of another year and shall we not make these festal days opportunities in which to bring to God offerings? I cannot say sacrifices, for we shall only be rendering to God that which is His already and which He has only entrusted to us till He shall call for it.

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God would be well pleased if, on Christmas, every church would have a Christmas tree on which shall be hung offerings great and small for these houses of worship.

Letters of inquiry have come to us asking, Shall we have a Christmas tree? Will it not be like the world? We respond, You can make it like the world, if you have a disposition to do so, or you can make it as different as the world.

There is no particular sin in selecting a fragrant evergreen and placing it in our churches, but the sin lies in the motive which prompts action and the use which is made of the gifts placed upon the tree.

The tree may be as tall and its branches as wide as shall best suit the occasion, but let its boughs be of the golden and silver fruit of thy goodwill, and deliver that unto Him as thy Christmas gift. Hallow your donations with the word of prayer.

Christmas and New Year parties can be and must be given on behalf of the helpless. God is exalted as we offer to enable them to support large families.

Will ye not rise, my Christian brethren and sisters, and get thyself ready to service in the dread of God, that it might in this way be arranged, that it might not be dry and unentertaining, but that it had innocent fun which would carry the seal of Heaven? I am aware of the poor classes through the response to these suggestions.

The richest, too, ought to express interest and give their gifts and offerings according to the resources with which God has endowed them.

And in the books of heaven shall there be written such a Christmas as ever was seen before of the altruisms which will be sacrificed to the maintaining of the work of God and the edifice of His kingdom.”
-Review and Herald, December 11, 1879, par. 15.

Why Most Adventists Celebrate

To the majority of Adventists, Christmas is a way to remind them about the birth of Jesus Christ, but a few may skip this holiday due to personal reasons.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church does not have any rules concerning Christmas celebration since Scripture does not give any directives on whether they should embrace it or not.

The bible was written, after all, long before this holiday was ever celebrated.

When such issues arise, Adventists are encouraged to appeal to their own consciences and seek principles that more generally apply to all of these issues in the Bible.

As we have already said, Christmas is the season when many Adventists think about the birth of the Son of God and give joy to other people.

It is an excellent chance to meet those people who already think more seriously about the purpose of the holiday.

Who knows, it might be the only time of the year a friend or relative would attend church and listen to someone talk about God.

Adventists also love celebrating Christmas since it gives an opportunity to share love with other people, either through food and toy drives or by having a lonely person share Christmas dinner.

After all, we celebrate because God is a God of joy.

Jesus himself attended joyful events in the bible, including a wedding celebration (John 2:2). Similarly, Christmas enables us to have a preview of the happiness of God through fellowship with others.

Why Some Adventists Don’t Celebrate

Other Adventists do not celebrate Christmas due to their concern about the origins and the way people celebrate Christmas.

They fear that they and their families might be sucked into materialism and forget what matters most, which is to love and serve others and spread the good news of Jesus.

Some do not embrace the holiday since most of the decorations, as well as traditions, have their roots in pagan celebrations.

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To illustrate, the date of the birth of Jesus, December 25th, has no biblical support because initially it was a pagan festival to honour the sun god.

Meanwhile, the Adventists who do celebrate Christmas might point out that many everyday things, from planet names to common names, such as the names of planets to days of the week, have pagan roots, yet have long lost that significance.

Similarly, nowadays, Christmas is about Christ, love, and giving.

Nevertheless, the issue of materialism and paganism is valid to make one avoid the celebration.

The important thing is that this is not allowed to become a divisive thing. No one should judge another and all the Adventists should adhere to their own beliefs.

How Adventists celebrate Christmas

Christmas is similarly celebrated by Adventists, just like other Christians. We might:

Hear Sermons based on the Nativity story

Host or attend Christmas programmes and concerts

Organize food and toy drives for the families in need.

Engage the youth in church outreach and plays.

The homes and churches are decorated with Christmas trees that hold envelopes for donations to the poor.

Gather as families to open gifts and share a meal, often a vegetarian one.

Watch nativity-themed films and plays or musical performances

As for Santa Claus, the Adventist parents typically take an honest approach.

They explain that while Santa stories are fun, they are not the true reason behind the season.

Instead, they advise their children to be grateful to God and to value their family and society.

They are the best gift of all, they remind them of the birth of Jesus Christ.

What the Bible Says about Christmas

The bible does not directly mention Christmas, but it gives us timeless principles to guide our celebrations.

These include; selfless, humility and a focus on glorifying God rather than self. The following are some of the main questions that Adventists usually ask:

• How does this holiday relate to my beliefs in God’s word?
• How does observing this holiday affect my behavior and relationships?
• Does it strengthen my path with God, or distract me from Him?

Christmas makes some thankful and helps them to give a stronger testimony to their Christianity.

To some people, it might seem like a waste of time on their religious agenda. Every believer has his/her walk, and God invites us to act out of faith and uprightness as per his word.

Keeping Christ at the Center

Whereas we do not know the date Jesus was born, we do know that prophecy came about as time defined.

Jesus was the son of a virgin, his life was sinless, he died and rose again and now as a priest, he ministers in the heavenly sanctuary.

He will soon come back, not as a helpless baby, but as a conquering King.

So whether we do or do not celebrate Christmas, this season offers a powerful reminder;
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

May God bless each of us today and every day as we present Christ our hearts in the present day and in the days ahead, as we await His second coming, His second advent.

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