While Christmas is widely celebrated as the birth of Jesus Christ, not all Christian denominations or religious organizations observe this holiday.
Some churches choose to refrain from celebrating Christmas due to its historical ties to pagan traditions or their commitment to strict biblical adherence. Here are five notable examples of churches that do not celebrate Christmas:
1. Jehovah’s Witnesses
Jehovah’s Witnesses have a long-standing practice of not celebrating Christmas. Historically, they observed the holiday until 1928.
However, their research revealed that Christmas has roots in “false religious beliefs or activities,” as stated in their publication Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom.
This discovery led to the eventual discontinuation of the celebration.
While the transition wasn’t immediate, the organization ultimately concluded that Christmas was not biblically sanctioned.
They argue that if God intended for Jesus’ birth to be celebrated, the Bible would have explicitly instructed it.
2. Seventh-day Adventist Church
This denomination is best known for observing Saturday as the Sabbath, aligning with the biblical day of rest. Seventh-day Adventists also avoid Christmas celebrations, citing that the Bible does not command the observance of Christ’s birth.
A church brochure notes that Jesus was not born in December and questions the holiday’s commercialization and pagan origins.
However, some members quietly partake in Christmas festivities with family or friends, as the church views such decisions as a personal matter, emphasizing faith over tradition.
3. Deeper Life Bible Church
Deeper Life Bible Church, led by Pastor W.F. Kumuyi, openly opposes Christmas celebrations. During a 2013 retreat, Pastor Kumuyi explained that the holiday has idolatrous origins, stemming from pagan traditions rather than biblical practices.
He emphasized that Christmas customs, such as carols and decorations, were absent from the practices of the early church.
Instead of Christmas, the church holds an event called Freedom Day in October, which they believe more accurately commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ.
4. God’s Kingdom Society (GKS)
Founded in 1934 by St. Gideon Meriodere Urhobo, the God’s Kingdom Society rejects the December celebration of Christmas due to its ties to Roman pagan festivals like Saturnalia. The church instead commemorates Jesus’ birth in October during an event called Freedom Day, which they believe aligns better with historical and biblical interpretations.
The GKS’s teachings focus on restoring what they consider authentic Christian practices, distancing themselves from traditions with non-Christian origins.
5. Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM)
Dr. Daniel Olukoya, the founder of MFM, has been vocal about the church’s stance against Christmas. He asserts that the holiday is rooted in pagan traditions and lacks a biblical foundation.
In place of Christmas, the church hosts its annual Power Must Change Hands program, which focuses on deliverance, prayer, and spiritual preparation for the New Year.
This approach reflects the church’s emphasis on holiness, spiritual warfare, and adherence to biblical purity over cultural celebrations.
Conclusion
While Christmas is celebrated by many as a joyous occasion, these churches highlight that not all Christian groups view the holiday as biblically warranted. Their reasons stem from a commitment to biblical interpretation, historical analysis, and a desire to maintain spiritual purity.
