Do Jehovah's Witnesses Celebrate Christmas? Here's Why Not
When December rolls around, the world fills with twinkling lights, gift exchanges, and festive gatherings. However, if you have neighbors, coworkers, or acquaintances who are Jehovah's Witnesses, you might notice they don't participate in any of these traditions. A common question people ask during the holiday season is: do jahovaswitniss celebrate christmas?
The short answer is no, Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate Christmas. Furthermore, they do not celebrate birthdays, Easter, Halloween, or most other popular national and religious holidays. To understand why, it is necessary to look at their foundational beliefs, their interpretation of the Bible, and their view of holiday origins.
Why Do Jehovah's Witnesses Not Celebrate Christmas?
For Jehovah's Witnesses, religious practices must be strictly rooted in the Bible. When examining whether they should observe Christmas, members of the faith look at several core issues, including the historical origins of the holiday, the lack of biblical command, and their desire to remain separate from worldly customs.
Non-Biblical Origins and Pagan Roots
One of the primary reasons Jehovah's Witnesses avoid Christmas is its historical connection to pagan customs. Church historians generally agree that December 25 was chosen by the early Roman church to coincide with pagan Roman festivals like Saturnalia (a celebration of the agricultural god Saturn) and the birth of Sol Invictus (the unconquered sun).
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that because Christmas has roots in false worship and pagan sun-worship, it is displeasing to God. They point to biblical principles such as 2 Corinthians 6:17, which advises believers to "touch no unclean thing" and to separate themselves from practices that do not honor God truthfully.
The Absence of Jesus' Birth Date in Scripture
Another factor is the Bible's silence regarding the exact date of Jesus Christ's birth. The Gospels do not record the month or day he was born. In fact, many historians note that a December birth is unlikely in Judea because shepherds would not have been grazing their flocks out in the fields at night during the freezing winter months.
Video: Should CHRISTIANS Celebrate CHRISTMAS?
Because the Bible never commands Christians to celebrate Jesus' birth, and because early Christians did not observe the holiday for hundreds of years after Christ's death, Jehovah's Witnesses view Christmas as a human tradition rather than a divine requirement.
Focus on Jesus' Death, Not His Birth
While Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate Christmas, they do honor Jesus Christ. However, they focus on his teachings, his role as Savior, and his death rather than his birth. The most important annual event on their religious calendar is the Memorial of Christ's Death (often called the Lord's Evening Meal), which commemorates his crucifixion in accordance with Jesus' command at Luke 22:19 to "keep doing this in remembrance of me."
How Do Jehovah's Witnesses Handle the Holiday Season?
Navigating December can be unique for families and children who belong to this faith. Because Jehovah's Witnesses strive to live quiet, peaceable lives while adhering strictly to their conscience, they handle the winter season in specific ways.
- No Gift-Giving: Gift exchanges are tied directly to the holiday season, so Witnesses do not give or receive Christmas presents. However, they do give gifts to one another throughout the year simply as expressions of love and friendship.
- No Office Parties: Most employed Witnesses respectfully decline invitations to company Christmas parties, viewing them as celebrations of a holiday they do not observe.
- School Situations: Children raised as Jehovah's Witnesses do not participate in school Christmas plays, crafts, or party celebrations. Parents typically request exemptions from these activities from school administrators.
It is worth noting that Jehovah's Witnesses are not anti-social. They enjoy spending time with family and friends, sharing meals, and relaxing together throughout the year, but they choose to keep these gatherings entirely separate from religious or secular holidays.
Respecting Different Beliefs
Understanding why Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate Christmas helps foster mutual respect in a multicultural and religiously diverse society. While the traditions of December bring joy to millions of people around the globe, members of this faith choose a different path based on their deep-seated religious convictions and historical research. Whether participating in holiday festivities or abstaining from them, people of various faiths simply seek to live in accordance with what they believe is right.
