What does the Bible say about celebrating christmas?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible does not command Christians to celebrate Christmas, yet it gives abundant reason to rejoice in the birth of Jesus Christ, the promised Savior and King. Luke 2:11 announces that Christ the Lord was born, while Isaiah 7:14 and Isaiah 9:6-7 foretell Immanuel and the everlasting reign of the child given to us. Believers therefore may set apart a day to remember God’s incomparable gift in Christ, giving thanks and serving one another. Romans 14:1-23 and Colossians 2:16 teach that such observances should not become a test of faith or a cause for judging fellow Christians. Our celebration must avoid superstition, greed, and empty tradition, and should center on worship, gratitude, generosity, and the gospel.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Jeremiah 10:2-4
[2] Thus says Yahweh, "Don't learn the way of the nations, and don't be dismayed at the signs of the sky; for the nations are dismayed at them. [3] For the customs of the peoples are vanity; for one cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe. [4] They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it not move.
- Romans 14:1-23
[1] Now receive one who is weak in faith, but not for disputes over opinions. [2] One man has faith to eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. [3] Don't let him who eats despise him who doesn't eat. Don't let him who doesn't eat judge him who eats, for God has received him. [4] Who are you who judge another's servant? To his own lord he stands or falls. Yes, he will be made to stand, for God has power to make him stand. [5] One man esteems one day as more important. Another esteems every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind. [6] He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks. He who doesn't eat, to the Lord he doesn't eat, and gives God thanks. [7] For none of us lives to himself, and none dies to himself. [8] For if we live, we live to the Lord. Or if we die, we die to the Lord. If therefore we live or die, we are the Lord's. [9] For to this end Christ died, rose, and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. [10] But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. [11] For it is written, "'As I live,' says the Lord, 'to me every knee will bow. Every tongue will confess to God.'" [12] So then each one of us will give account of himself to God. [13] Therefore let's not judge one another any more, but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block in his brother's way, or an occasion for falling. [14] I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself; except that to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. [15] Yet if because of food your brother is grieved, you walk no longer in love. Don't destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. [16] Then don't let your good be slandered, [17] for the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. [18] For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. [19] So then, let us follow after things which make for peace, and things by which we may build one another up. [20] Don't overthrow God's work for food's sake. All things indeed are clean, however it is evil for that man who creates a stumbling block by eating. [21] It is good to not eat meat, drink wine, nor do anything by which your brother stumbles, is offended, or is made weak. [22] Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who doesn't judge himself in that which he approves. [23] But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because it isn't of faith; and whatever is not of faith is sin. (14:24) Now to him who is able to establish you according to my Gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret through long ages, (14:25) but now is revealed, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known for obedience of faith to all the nations; (14:26) to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.
- Luke 2:11
For there is born to you, this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
- Isaiah 9:6-7
[6] For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be on his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [7] Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from henceforth even forever. The zeal of Yahweh of Hosts will perform this.
- Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
- Colossians 2:16
Let no man therefore judge you in eating, or in drinking, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day,
- Hebrews 5:9
Having been made perfect, he became to all of those who obey him the author of eternal salvation,
- Zechariah 9:9
Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king comes to you! He is righteous, and having salvation; Lowly, and riding on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
- Isaiah 11:1
There shall come forth a shoot out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots shall bear fruit.
- 2 Corinthians 9:15
Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!
Related topics
Go deeper
Ask Explain Bible AI about celebrating christmas and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.
Ask what the Bible says about celebrating christmas