Should Christians celebrate Christmas?

Good News

Heaven Commands Great Joy at Christ's Nativity

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

Luke 2:10 (NIV)

The angel of the Lord explicitly announces that the birth of Christ is good news intended to bring great joy to all people.

When heaven announced the birth of Jesus Christ, it did not issue a solemn caution against celebration; it commanded holy exultation. In Luke 2:10, the angel of the Lord shattered the darkness of the Judean hillside to declare: "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people." This good news was not quiet or private. It began while humble shepherds kept watch over their flocks at night (Luke 2:8), only to be overtaken by the glorious light of God's presence (Luke 2:9). The message was clear: in David’s city, a Savior had arrived who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11). The sign given to them was startling in its humility—a baby swaddled and resting in a feeding trough (Luke 2:12). Immediately, heaven broke out in unrestrained praise as a vast heavenly host joined the angel (Luke 2:13), singing glory to God in the highest and peace on earth toward men (Luke 2:14). This pattern of intense, worshipful joy runs throughout the entire nativity narrative. Months earlier, Mary’s soul magnified the Lord and her spirit rejoiced in God her Savior (Luke 1:46-47). Following the angelic proclamation, the shepherds hurried to see the child and returned glorifying and praising God for what they had witnessed (Luke 2:20). Later, Magi from the East came pursuing the newborn King to worship Him (Matthew 2:1-2). When they saw His star over the place where the young Child lay, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy, fell prostrate in adoration, and presented treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:10-11). If holy angels, pagan scholars, and Jewish shepherds all celebrated Christ's incarnation with unbounded adoration, God's people today have every biblical reason to mark His arrival with glad praise.

Appointed Feasts

God Commands His People to Remember and Rejoice

“Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘These are my appointed festivals, the appointed festivals of the LORD, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies.

Leviticus 23:2 (NIV)

God instituted sacred seasons and holy convocations specifically dedicated to corporate remembrance and joyful celebration.

Throughout redemptive history, God has actively woven intentional seasons of remembrance into the rhythm of His covenant people. In Leviticus 23:2, the Lord instructed Moses: "Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'The feasts of the Lord, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts.'" God did not leave corporate memory to chance; He mandated that His mighty acts of rescue and deliverance be celebrated at appointed times (Leviticus 23:4). For example, during the Feast of Booths (Leviticus 23:34), God's people were required to cease regular labor (Leviticus 23:35), offer sacrifices, and assemble in solemn gladness (Leviticus 23:36). Deuteronomy 16:14 emphasized that rejoicing during these seasons was not optional: it was a shared command extending to servants, foreigners, and the fatherless alike. Nor did this sacred pattern of seasonal commemoration cease when the Levitical law was completed. In Esther 9:20-22, Mordecai and the Jewish community instituted Purim—an annual holiday not explicitly commanded in the Mosaic law—to celebrate God's deliverance from destruction with banquets, rejoicing, and gifts sent to one another. Centuries later, John 10:22-23 records that Jesus walked in Solomon's Porch at the temple during the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah), another annual, post-exilic commemoration honoring God's protection. While the New Testament designates no specific calendar day for Christmas, God's people have always possessed biblical precedent to set apart seasons of feasting and gratitude to remember His greatest deeds.

Joyful Worship

Singing and Thanksgiving Fill the Assemblies of God

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

Psalms 100:1-2 (NIV)

Scripture bids the whole earth to worship the Lord with gladness and approach His presence with singing.

When God's people gather to consider the salvation of the Lord, sacred song and uninhibited thanksgiving are the natural, commanded response. Psalms 100:1-2 commands: "Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing." Scripture never views joyful singing as mere emotional sentiment; it is a vital act of obedience and worship before our Creator. King David summons all whose sins are covered to be glad in the Lord and shout for joy with an upright heart (Psalms 32:11). Psalms 95:1-2 invites the congregation to sing with strength and make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation, entering His courts with thanksgiving. The advent of Christ's kingdom fulfills this universal summons to worship, as Psalms 96:1-3 calls for a new song to arise from the whole earth, declaring His glorious deeds among every people group. In the New Testament, this corporate praise reaches its fullness in the gathered assembly of the church. In Colossians 3:16, the apostle Paul instructs believers to let the word of Christ dwell richly within them as they teach and admonish one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in their hearts to the Lord. Whether through ancient hymns or contemporary songs that declare the mystery of the incarnation, a Christian celebration of Christ's birth aligns squarely with the scriptural command to lift our voices in holy, grateful assembly.

The True Center

Christ's Incarnation Leads Directly to the Cross

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!

Romans 5:8-9 (NIV)

The baby in the manger took on human flesh specifically to pour out His blood and justify sinners.

The manger cannot be understood apart from the wooden cross on which our redemption was purchased. In Romans 5:8-9, the apostle Paul declares the heart of the gospel: "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." The wonder of the incarnation is that the baby born in Bethlehem took on human flesh specifically to die. Before Jesus drew His first breath, the angel told Joseph, "He will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). The eternal Word did not simply appear in human form; He truly became flesh and dwelt among us, revealing the Father's matchless glory, grace, and truth (John 1:14). Hebrews 2:14-15 explains that because the children share in flesh and blood, Christ likewise partook of the exact same nature, so that through His death He might break the power of Satan and release those held in lifelong bondage to the fear of death. Through this finished work, God reconciled a fallen world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses against them, and committed to His redeemed people the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). Any faithful celebration of Christ's nativity never ends at a quaint cradle; it bows in deep awe before the sovereign Savior who took on frail human flesh to drink the cup of divine wrath, shed His blood for our justification, and rise victorious over the grave.

Christian Freedom

Observing Days Must Be Done unto the Lord

One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.

Romans 14:5-6 (NIV)

Paul establishes the principle of Christian freedom regarding days, commanding that whatever is observed must honor God.

In Romans 14:5-6, the Apostle Paul directly addresses the observance of special calendar days: "One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind." The foundational principle governing this freedom is that whatever day a believer observes, he must observe it intentionally "unto the Lord," giving thanks to God. Scripture does not command a festival celebrating the nativity, nor does it forbid setting aside a day to remember Christ's birth. Therefore, whether a Christian celebrates Christmas or treats the calendar day as ordinary, the ruling aim in all things must be God's glory, as 1 Corinthians 10:31 commands: "whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." The customs often associated with the season, such as generous giving, must also reflect the heart of Scripture, where 2 Corinthians 9:7 teaches that "each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

At the same time, Scripture establishes crucial boundaries regarding holy days. The church's perpetual pattern is found in Acts 2:42, continuing steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayers, rather than inventing mandatory holy calendars. In Colossians 2:16-17, believers are commanded not to allow anyone to pass judgment on them regarding festivals or sabbaths, which were shadows pointing forward to Christ. Furthermore, Paul sternly cautions against turning days into a legalistic requirement or superstitious ritual in Galatians 4:9-11, warning those who turn back to weak principles by observing days, months, and years as grounds for righteousness. Finally, 1 Corinthians 8:9 reminds every Christian to take care that their liberty does not become a stumbling block to a brother with a weaker conscience. Liberty is never license for worldly excess, but an opportunity to honor the Lord with a pure and grateful heart.

The Incarnate Lord

Scripture Calls Believers to Confess and Proclaim the Incarnation

This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,

1 John 4:2 (NIV)

Confessing that Jesus Christ has come in human flesh is the definitive biblical mark of the Spirit of God.

In 1 John 4:2, the Apostle John delivers the definitive test of orthodoxy for the people of God: "By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God." The incarnation of the eternal Son is neither a seasonal theme nor a trivial theological footnote; it is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. To declare that the Word became flesh is to stand with the testimony of the Holy Spirit against every lie that denies Christ's true humanity or His divine mission. As 1 John 4:3 warns, any spirit that does not confess Jesus Christ as having come in human flesh is not of God, but is of the antichrist. Thus, any occasion that faithfully exalts the historic, bodily arrival of the Lord Jesus fulfills the very mandate of apostolic confession.

This miraculous manifestation is celebrated throughout the New Testament epistles as the central wonder of God's redemptive work. In 1 Timothy 3:16, Paul proclaims that great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up in glory. This divine descent required utter humility, as Philippians 2:6-8 recounts how Christ, being in the very form of God, did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant and coming in the likeness of men, ultimately humbling Himself unto death on a cross. According to Galatians 4:4-5, this occurred precisely when the fullness of time had come, for God sent forth His Son, born of a woman and born under the law, for the glorious purpose of redeeming those under the law that we might receive adoption as sons. Whether proclaimed in December or on every Lord's Day throughout the year, the incarnation of Jesus Christ demands the ceaseless worship and joyful confession of every redeemed heart.

Where in the Bible

The story in order

1. God's promise of a Savior (c. 4000 BC) · Genesis 3:15 · The first hint of redemption after the fall.
2. God commands appointed feasts (c. 1450 BC) · Leviticus 23:2 · Feasts to remember God's saving grace.
3. Israel rejoices during feasts (c. 1400 BC) · Deuteronomy 16:14 · Command to rejoice wholeheartedly in sacred feasts.
4. Wise men seek the King (c. 4 BC) · Matthew 2:1-2 · Seeking and worshiping the newborn King.
5. Angel announces Savior's birth (c. 4 BC) · Luke 2:10-11 · Tidings of great joy for all people.
6. Heavenly host praises God (c. 4 BC) · Luke 2:13-14 · Glory to God and peace on earth.
7. Shepherds glorify God (c. 4 BC) · Luke 2:20 · Glorifying and praising God for what they saw.
8. Magi rejoice and worship (c. 4 BC) · Matthew 2:10-11 · Exceedingly great joy and worship.
9. Jesus at the Feast of Dedication (c. AD 30) · John 10:22-23 · Jesus observed an annual commemoration.
10. Jesus is born of a woman (c. 4 BC) · Galatians 4:4-5 · God sent His Son to redeem.
11. The Word became flesh (c. AD 30) · John 1:14 · Revealing God's glory in human form.
12. Christ died for sinners (c. AD 30) · Romans 5:8-9 · God showed His love through Christ's death.
13. Early church devoted to worship (c. AD 30) · Acts 2:42 · Fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers.
14. Paul warns against legalism (c. AD 60) · Colossians 2:16-17 · Don't let others judge your observance of days.

Biblical Feasts and Commemorations

Christian Freedom in Observance

Key words

Joy (agalliasis, ἀ mλλίασις)

A deep-seated delight and gladness, especially in God and His salvation. · Luke 2:10

Worship (proskuneō, προσκυνέω)

Reverent adoration and homage paid to God, often expressed through singing and offerings. · Matthew 2:11

Savior (sōtēr, σωτήρ)

One who delivers from danger or destruction; specifically, Jesus Christ who saves from sin. · Luke 2:11

Incarnation (egeneto en sarki, ἐγένετο ἐν σαρκί)

The act of God's Son becoming human, taking on flesh and dwelling among us. · John 1:14

Feast (mo'ed, מוֹעֵד)

A set time for religious observance, remembrance, and celebration commanded by God. · Leviticus 23:2

Freedom (eleutheria, ἐλευθερία)

Liberty from bondage, particularly from sin and legalistic observance, to serve God in grace. · Galatians 4:9