Why Don’t Jehovah’s Witnesses Celebrate Christmas?

Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the world. For many, it represents love, generosity, family unity, and remembrance of Jesus Christ’s birth. Because of this, people often wonder why Jehovah’s Witnesses choose not to participate in Christmas celebrations.

The answer is not based on dislike for Jesus or rejection of family values. Rather, it is rooted in a desire to worship God in a way that strictly follows the Bible. To understand this decision, it is helpful to examine what people commonly believe about Christmas, what the Bible actually teaches, and how Jehovah’s Witnesses apply those teachings.

What People Commonly Believe About Christmas

Many believe that Christmas is a Christian holiday established to honor Jesus’ birth. They see traditions such as gift-giving, decorated trees, festive meals, and special dates as harmless expressions of faith and goodwill.

It is also commonly assumed that:

• Jesus was born on December 25.
• God approves of Christmas celebrations because they are done “in Jesus’ name”.
• Any tradition that promotes kindness and family unity must be pleasing to God.

From this perspective, not celebrating Christmas may seem unnecessary or even disrespectful to Christ.

What the Bible Says

Jehovah’s Witnesses carefully examine the Bible to determine whether a practice is pleasing to God.

No Biblical Command to Celebrate Jesus’ Birth

The Bible records Jesus’ birth, but nowhere does it instruct Christians to celebrate it annually. Jesus himself never asked his followers to commemorate his birth. Instead, he commanded them to remember his death:

“Keep doing this in remembrance of me.” — Luke 22:19

This is significant, because it shows what Jesus personally emphasized.

The Date of Jesus’ Birth Is Not Given

The Bible does not state the exact date of Jesus’ birth. Historical and biblical details suggest that December 25 is unlikely, and that this date was chosen long after the time of the apostles.

Early Christians Did Not Celebrate Christmas

There is no evidence that first-century Christians celebrated Christmas. The holiday developed centuries later, during a time when many religious practices were influenced by existing cultural and seasonal festivals.

Avoiding Religious Practices Not Approved by God

The Bible encourages worship that is pure and based on God’s instructions, not on human tradition:

“They worship me in vain, because they teach commands of men as doctrines.” — Matthew 15:9

Jehovah’s Witnesses understand this to mean that sincere worship should not mix biblical teaching with practices that God has not authorized.

Answer: Why Jehovah’s Witnesses Do Not Celebrate Christmas

Because:

• The Bible does not command Christians to celebrate Jesus’ birth.
• Jesus and the early Christians did not observe Christmas.
• Many Christmas customs originated outside biblical worship.
• Jehovah’s Witnesses seek to honor Jesus by obeying his teachings, not by following traditions he never established.

This decision is not a judgment of others. Jehovah’s Witnesses respect the right of individuals to make their own choices. However, for them, true worship means following the Bible as closely as possible, even when that choice differs from popular religious customs.

They honor Jesus every day by striving to imitate his life, teachings, and love—rather than by observing a holiday that the Bible does not endorse.