Christians sometimes disagree about celebrating Christmas, New Year, birthdays, and wedding anniversaries. Some believe these occasions provide opportunities for worship, gratitude, family fellowship, and Christian witness. Others avoid them because the Bible does not command their observance or because certain customs may have non-Christian origins.
The Bible does not command Christians to celebrate these occasions, but neither does it give a general command forbidding them. Therefore, they should not be treated as tests of faithfulness or conditions of salvation. Each believer should follow biblical principles, respect the conscience of others, and make sure that everything is done for God’s glory.
The Sabbath Is Different
We must distinguish optional celebrations from a day that God has directly commanded us to keep. Christmas, New Year, birthdays, and anniversaries are not commanded holy days. The seventh-day Sabbath, however, is part of God’s Ten Commandments.
“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Exodus 20:8
God identified the seventh day:
“But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God.” Exodus 20:10
The Sabbath is not based upon human tradition or personal preference. God blessed and sanctified it at Creation and commanded His people to keep it holy.
“And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it.” Genesis 2:3
Therefore, we should not place Christmas, New Year, birthdays, or anniversaries on the same level as the Sabbath. A person may choose whether to observe these optional occasions, but the Sabbath rests upon a direct command from God.
The Bible Does Not Give the Date of Christ’s Birth
The Bible does not reveal the exact date on which Jesus was born. December 25 is a traditional date and should not be presented as the certain birthday of Christ.
If the precise date had been essential to salvation or worship, God could have preserved it in Scripture. Instead, the Bible emphasizes the event, not the date.
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” John 1:14
The important truth is that the eternal Son of God became human and came into this world to save us from sin.
The angels announced:
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11
Christians are free to remember the birth of Jesus at any time. We should think about His incarnation throughout the year. There is also nothing wrong with selecting a particular season to give special attention to His birth, provided we do not claim that December 25 is the biblically established date or treat it as a commanded holy day.
What About the Origins of Christmas?
Some Christians reject Christmas because certain customs may have connections with ancient non-Christian practices. We should take such concerns seriously and avoid anything that directly promotes idolatry, superstition, or false worship.
God warned Israel not to imitate pagan worship:
“Thou shalt not do so unto the Lord thy God: for every abomination to the Lord, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods.” Deuteronomy 12:31
However, the origin of a custom is not the only question to consider. We must also ask what that practice means today and how it is being used. A meal, light, tree, gift, or date does not automatically become an act of pagan worship simply because someone in the past used something similar.
The important questions are: Does this practice dishonor God? Does it promote false worship? Does it encourage selfishness, greed, or worldliness? Or can it be used to express gratitude, generosity, and faith in Christ?
The name of Jesus should never be used to excuse conduct that is contrary to His character.
Christian Liberty and Special Days
Paul gave helpful counsel about days that God had not commanded all Christians to observe:
“One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” Romans 14:5
He continued:
“He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it.” Romans 14:6
Paul was dealing with disagreements among believers over matters of conscience, including the observance of certain days. His principle applies well to optional celebrations. One Christian may choose to observe a day in honor of God, while another may choose not to observe it.
Neither person should condemn the other:
“Let us not therefore judge one another any more.” Romans 14:13
If a family does not celebrate Christmas, other Christians should respect that decision. If a family remembers Christ’s birth in a simple, biblical, and God-centered manner, they should not automatically be accused of practicing paganism.
Christian liberty must operate within the boundaries of God’s Word. Liberty does not mean that anything is acceptable. It means that where God has not given a direct command, believers should act according to biblical principles and an informed conscience.
Celebrating Christmas in a Christian Manner
Modern Christmas celebrations can easily become centered on buying, eating, entertainment, competition, and self-indulgence. Christians should not merely copy everything the world does.
Paul gives a principle that applies to every celebration:
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
If Christians choose to celebrate Christmas, Christ should remain at the center. Families can read the story of His birth, sing songs about Him, pray together, help those in need, give Christian books, and teach children that Jesus is God’s greatest gift.
Christmas also offers an unusual opportunity for evangelism. During this season, many people are willing to hear about Jesus. Churches and families may share Christian literature, visit homes, sing Christ-centered songs, help struggling families, and invite others to hear the gospel.
The pen of inspiration says:
“Christmas and New Year celebrations can and should be held in behalf of those who are helpless. God is glorified when we give to help those who have large families to support.” The Adventist Home, p. 482
The season should not be used merely to receive. It can become a time to give, serve, and point people to Christ.
Protecting Children From Worldliness
Children naturally enjoy gifts, food, decorations, and family gatherings. Parents do not need to make every celebration gloomy or joyless. However, they should carefully direct their children away from greed and self-centered pleasure.
Children can be encouraged to give gifts, support mission work, visit the lonely, and help those who have less. Parents can teach them that happiness is not found in receiving the most expensive present but in sharing the love of Jesus.
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35
A celebration that makes children more selfish has failed spiritually. A celebration that teaches gratitude, generosity, and love can become a blessing.
What About New Year?
January 1 is the beginning of the civil year in the calendar commonly used today. The Bible does not command Christians to observe it as a religious holy day. However, there is nothing wrong with using the beginning of a calendar year for reflection, thanksgiving, prayer, and renewed commitment.
Moses prayed:
“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalm 90:12
The beginning of a new year reminds us that time is passing. It provides an opportunity to thank God for His care, examine our spiritual life, reconcile with others, set wise goals, and dedicate the coming year to Him.
Paul wrote:
“Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.” Philippians 3:13
Christians should avoid drunkenness, immoral entertainment, and reckless behavior often connected with New Year celebrations. But prayer meetings, testimonies, family worship, gratitude, and renewed consecration can make the occasion spiritually valuable.
What About Birthdays?
The Bible neither commands nor forbids birthday celebrations. Pharaoh’s birthday and Herod’s birthday are connected with sinful events, but this does not prove that every birthday celebration is sinful. The sin was in what those rulers did, not in recognizing the passing of another year of life.
Life is a gift from God:
“For in him we live, and move, and have our being.” Acts 17:28
A birthday can be an opportunity to thank God for life, remember His guidance, pray for the future, and show love to a family member or friend. It should not become an occasion for pride, drunkenness, wastefulness, or self-exaltation.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.” James 1:17
If a person prefers not to celebrate a birthday, that choice should also be respected.
What About Wedding Anniversaries?
The Bible does not command wedding anniversaries, but it honors marriage.
“Marriage is honourable in all.” Hebrews 13:4
A wedding anniversary can be a meaningful time for a husband and wife to thank God, renew their commitment, remember His faithfulness, and strengthen their marriage. It can also provide an opportunity for children to appreciate the faithfulness and love of their parents.
The celebration does not need to be expensive or elaborate. A prayer, meal, gift, or quiet expression of gratitude may be enough. The value lies not in the size of the celebration but in honoring God and strengthening the marriage covenant.
A Simple Test for Every Celebration
Before participating in any celebration, Christians should ask several questions: Does this honor God? Does it strengthen my faith and family? Does it encourage gratitude and generosity? Is anything connected with it contrary to Scripture? Will my example help or harm others?
Paul gives a simple rule:
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Colossians 3:17
If we cannot honestly invite Christ into a celebration, we should not participate in it.
Conclusion
Christmas, New Year, birthdays, and anniversaries are not commanded holy days or tests of salvation. Christians are free to observe them or not observe them, according to conscience and biblical principles. No one should condemn another believer over these optional matters.
If we celebrate, Christ should be the center. Our celebrations should reflect gratitude, purity, generosity, family love, and service to others. Whatever we choose, let everything be done to the glory of God.
