In general, most Seventh-day Adventists do celebrate Christmas.
Since our denomination doesn’t have specific guidelines about holidays, it’s up to each member to decide whether to celebrate it based on their personal convictions and study of the Bible.
In this article, we’ll give you an idea of what that can look like for Adventists, and we’ll cover some biblical principles to consider. Keep reading to discover:
- What Adventists believe about celebrating Christmas
- How we celebrate Christmas
- What the Bible says about celebrating Christmas
Let’s get into it!
What do Adventists believe about celebrating Christmas?
Photo by Greyson Joralemon on Unsplash
For most Adventists, Christmas is an opportunity to remember the birth of Jesus Christ, though a small minority may avoid this holiday for personal reasons.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church doesn’t have any specific rules about celebrating Christmas.1 This is because Scripture doesn’t provide any instruction to accept or reject Christmas. After all, the Bible was written long before this holiday was ever celebrated.
In matters like these, Adventists are advised to follow their personal conscience and look for overarching principles in the Bible to guide their decisions.
Why most Adventists celebrate
As we’ve already mentioned, Christmas is a time when many Adventists reflect on the birth of the son of God and share that joy with others. We see it as a great opportunity to connect with people who are already considering the deeper meaning of the holiday.
Who knows—it might be the only time of year that a friend or family member would be willing to attend church and hear about God.
We also like celebrating Christmas because it provides the chance to show love to others, whether that’s by participating in food and toy drives or inviting a lonely person over for Christmas dinner.
And finally, our celebration of Christmas stems simply from the fact that God is a God of joy. In the Bible, we find that Jesus Himself participated in the simple joys of a wedding celebration (John 2:2). Similarly, Christmas is a day for enjoying friends and family—and gaining a small glimpse into God’s joy through that fellowship.
Why some Adventists don’t celebrate
Photo by Samuel Holt on Unsplash
Some Adventists don’t celebrate Christmas because they’re concerned about its origins and the way that people celebrate it. They’re worried they and their families could get caught up in the materialism of this holiday and lose sight of what really matters—loving and serving others and spreading the good news of Jesus.
Others reject this holiday because a lot of its decorations and icons come from pagan festivals and worship.
Just take the date December 25th, for example.
Historians don’t have any evidence that Jesus was actually born on this day.2 The only thing that’s significant about it is that it was originally a pagan holiday to honor the sun god.3
At the same time, Adventists that observe Christmas might point out that nearly everything can be tied to pagan origins. That goes for the names of our planets and the days of the week. Now, though, Christmas has lost its pagan significance. And without this significance, objects like Christmas trees and mistletoes are just that—objects.
Still, materialism and paganism are both perfectly valid reasons for deciding not to keep this holiday. As Adventists, though, our goal is to not make this a divisive issue. No one should feel that their personal conviction to accept or abstain from Christmas is wrong.
Each individual person must decide for themselves.
For her part, Adventist pioneer Ellen G. White provided an answer to those who worried that certain aspects of Christmas would encourage paganism:
“Letters of inquiry have come to us asking, Shall we have a Christmas tree? Will it not be like the world? We answer, You can make it like the world if you have a disposition to do so, or you can make it as unlike the world as possible. There is no particular sin in selecting a fragrant evergreen and placing it in our churches, but the sin lies in the motive which prompts to action and the use which is made of the gifts placed upon the tree.
Will you not arise, my Christian brethren and sisters, and gird yourselves for duty in the fear of God, so arranging this matter that it shall not be dry and uninteresting, but full of innocent enjoyment that shall bear the signet of Heaven?”4
In this quote, Ellen White brings out the crux of the matter: The concern with Christmas centers around how we plan to celebrate. And notice, she encouraged us to make it a time of “innocent enjoyment.”
How do Adventists celebrate Christmas?
Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash
Adventists celebrate Christmas much like other Christian churches do. Around Christmas time, we might:
- Hear sermons based on the nativity story
- Host/attend Christmas programs or concerts
- Host food and toy drives for families in need
- Get the youth involved in church events like Christmas plays
- Decorate our homes and churches with Christmas trees, some of which have envelopes for donations to the poor, per Adventist tradition5
- Gather to open presents on Christmas day
- Enjoy a tasty (often, vegetarian) meal
- Watch a nativity movie
As far as Santa Claus goes, Adventist parents usually take an honest approach with their children.
They explain that while stories about Santa can be fun, they’re not the true reason to celebrate Christmas. They encourage their children to instead show thanks to God and their family members. And while giving and receiving gifts is a great blessing, children are reminded that the best gift of all is Jesus’ birth.
Keep in mind that Christmas celebrations can vary from culture to culture. Adventists often follow the traditions within their countries, and these traditions may have nothing to do with whether someone is Adventist or not.
But in short, Christmas is a wonderful time of the year to remember the birth of Christ, serve our communities, and spend quality time with family and friends. Let’s take a look at how we can follow biblical principles with our holiday activities.
What does the Bible say about celebrating Christmas?
The Bible doesn’t say anything about celebrating Christmas, but it does give us principles to guide the way we keep it.
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
Here are some simple questions to ask yourself:
- How does this holiday relate to my beliefs in God’s Word? (John 17:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:5).
- How does observing this holiday affect my behavior? (Galatians 5:13–14, Romans 12:1–2).
- How does observing this holiday affect the way I treat others? (Philippians 2:3–4; Romans 12:10–13).
- How does observing this holiday affect my relationship with God? (Matthew 6:33; Luke 16:13).
As we mentioned earlier, your answer to these questions might differ from somebody else’s. And that’s okay!
Christmas might encourage one person to embrace Christian values of charity and kindness. But it might encourage another person to get caught up in materialism, greed, or holiday stress. God calls us to the same standards of character, but in the end, we all struggle with different issues and temptations. We respond to situations differently because everyone’s Christian journey is unique.
That’s why each Adventist makes a decision for their life that best aligns with these biblical principles.
This is the case with other holidays, too. Curious to know about them?
Ideas for Celebrating Christmas in a Christ-Centered Way:
- Collect toys for children in need and donate them to a toy drive or charity.
- Participate in food drives so everyone can have a nice Christmas dinner.
- Donate money to the church or a favorite non-profit.
- Use your Christmas decorations to remind your neighbors of Christ’s love.
- Read or watch media about the Christmas story.
- Get your children engaged with the Christmas story through books, media, or some of these Christmas activities.
- Listen to Christmas songs or hymns.
- Go caroling in your neighborhood.
- Talk to or visit loved ones you don’t see very often.
- Bring your neighbors food and presents to show them you love them.
- Invite people to your church’s Christmas program.
- Invite people to your family’s Christmas dinner.
- Share literature about the Christmas story with others.
- Participate in your church’s Christmas program.
- Enjoy quality time with your family.
- Buy loved ones heartfelt gifts. Thank God for the ability to bless others.
- Receive gifts with thanksgiving. Thank God for all the blessings He has given you.
- Reflect on the ultimate gift of Jesus’ coming and sacrifice on the cross.
Related Articles
- “Do Adventists Celebrate Christmas?” General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. [↵]
- Hillerbrand, J., Hans, “Christmas,” Brittanica.com. [↵]
- Ibid. [↵]
- “Do Adventists Celebrate Christmas?” [↵]
- Ibid. [↵]
More Answers
Seventh-day Adventist World Population and Demographics
The Adventist Church has more than 22 million members and 100,000 churches worldwide, plus a large system of hospitals, schools, and publishing houses. Learn more about this diverse church.
What Is a Seventh-day Adventist Camp Meeting?
Although camp meetings didn’t begin with the Seventh-day Adventist Church, they’re as much an Adventist thing as haystacks.
Camp meeting is an extended event for Adventists (and non-Adventists) of all ages to gather and participate in spiritual seminars and activities. During the event, attendees often camp in tents, campers, or RVs.
How to Join the Seventh-day Adventist Church
Whether you heard about the Seventh-day Adventist Church through a traveling evangelist, during your online searches, or through a loved one or relative, you might be considering joining yourself.
How Do Adventists Do Baby Dedications?
For Christians, dedication ceremonies for babies, also for older children, are an important time for parents and the church. It’s a special part of the worship service when parents present their young children to God and the church family. Both parents, along with the congregation, regard this as a solemn promise to be a Christ-like example to the child.
Do Adventists Celebrate Communion and Foot Washing?
Like many Christian denominations, Adventists regularly participate in communion, also referred to as the “Lord’s Supper” or the “Last Supper.” They also practice foot washing (John 13:1-20), or the “ordinance of humility,” during the service—which isn’t as common.
What is the Concept of “Present Truth” and Why is it Important?
Present truth is the principle that certain biblical truths are relevant to God’s people at specific times in history. God sends the Holy Spirit to reveal truths that help us better understand how to interpret and apply His Word in a present moment.
Do Seventh-day Adventists Celebrate Easter
Yes, many Seventh-day Adventists do celebrate Easter.
Does the Adventist Church Have Youth Ministry Programs?
The Seventh-day Adventist Church has been organizing and operating youth ministry programs since 1879.
In our opinion, youth ministry is one of the most important ministries a church can have.
Do Adventists Celebrate Birthdays?
Yes, most Seventh-day Adventists do celebrate birthdays because we see them as excellent reminders of the life God has blessed us with. And we celebrate them the same way everyone else does—with friends, family, presents, and a special meal.
Sola Scriptura—What It Means and Why It Matters
Sola scriptura is a term that originated during the Protestant Reformation. It represents the way many Christians view the Bible and its authority. While the idea is simple enough, there is so much more to sola scriptura than its basic definition.
What Do Adventists Offer for Young Adults?
In recent years, the age group often classified as “young adults” has been trickier to engage. It’s been a significant concern for Christian churches around the world. Though interestingly enough, similar observations regarding young adults have been coming up in conversations about the economy, the entertainment industry, politics, and more.
Do I Need to be an Adventist to be Saved?
The answer to this question is simply, “no.”
When it comes to salvation in Jesus Christ, all that is required of a person is to acknowledge Jesus’ sacrifice for us, believe that He has saved us, and claim the free gift of salvation that is always available to us. Salvation is not based on denomination.
Do You Have to Be Vegetarian to Be Adventist?
Of course not. Membership in the Seventh-day Adventist Church has never included any dietary requirements. However, there might be some reasons people might think that. So many Adventists are vegetarians or even vegan, and a plant-based lifestyle has many health benefits.
All About Seventh-day Adventist Colporteurs
The Seventh-day Adventist Church uses a variety of methods to spread the hope of the gospel to the world. One of these ways is through colporteuring, also called “canvassing” or “literature evangelism.”
What Is an Adventist Book Center (ABC)?
When you walk into any one of the many Adventist Book Center (ABC) locations, chances are you’ll be greeted by pleasant gospel music in the background, friendly employees, and row after row of Christian books, movies, Bibles, study guides, kids’ games, and more.
Do Seventh-day Adventists Celebrate Holidays?
Wondering whether your Adventist classmate or coworker keeps the same holidays you do? Perhaps you want to include them in some festivities, but you also want to respect their beliefs. Thus, you’re unsure of how to navigate the holiday question. Will they accept your invitation to the office Christmas party?
The Adventist Haystack (It’s Not What You Think) + 4 Recipes
Haystacks are basically a taco salad—with an Adventist spin on it! Most versions are vegetarian and offer an endless combination of tasty toppings. We eat them often because they’re healthy, scrumptious, and easy to make.
Do Seventh-day Adventists Believe in Medical Care?
The Seventh-day Adventist Church believes in and supports evidence-based medical care. In fact, medicine has played a significant part in our history, and today we run a major health system with hospitals, medical schools, and clinics throughout the world.
Why do Adventists Emphasize Religious Liberty?
Adventists see religious liberty as an essential human right. After all, God endowed humanity with freedom of choice from the very beginning. So we believe it’s best for governments to also support their citizens’ rights to worship based on their convictions.
All about Adventist Elementary Schools
The Seventh-day Adventist Church operates the largest Protestant education system in the world. A big part of this system is our K-8 elementary schools, or primary schools, as they’re known in other parts of the world.
What Are Pathfinder and Adventurer Clubs?
Like the boy or girl scouts, Pathfinders and Adventurers learn about nature and life skills. But what makes these clubs special is their purpose to bring young people closer to Jesus.
13th Sabbath Offering: What It Is and Why It Matters
While the previous 12 Sabbaths of the quarter feature an established Adventist ministry and its current giving needs, the 13th is a rotating spot reserved for current mission projects.
A Look at Adventist Colleges and Universities
On the outside, Seventh-day Adventist universities may not look much different than other college campuses. But the real differences are beneath the surface.
What Is ASI (Adventist-Laymen’s Services and Industries)?
ASI, which stands for Adventist-laymen’s Services and Industries, is a membership-based organization that provides support for Seventh-day Adventist laypeople (Adventist professionals who aren’t pastors).
What Are Adventist Evangelistic Meetings?
The Seventh-day Adventist Church puts a huge emphasis on sharing the gospel through evangelism, or sharing the gospel through preaching, teaching, and testimony. One of the ways we accomplish this is by organizing public events called evangelistic meetings.
Christian Summer Camps—A Cherished Adventist Ministry
School’s out, the sun’s shining, and your kids are thrilled to have the summer ahead of them. Then three days in, you hear, “I’m bored…”
Do Adventists Have Their Own Bible?
Adventists have some unique beliefs—you might be able to name some of them right now. The seventh-day Sabbath. Death as a sleep. Hell as nonexistence.
What Is Vespers?
Friday rolls around, and you’re spending time with your Adventist friends or relatives when they mention they’re going to vespers tonight.
Adventist Pastors
What is the role of a pastor in the Adventist Church? The position itself, at least as far as a local congregation is concerned, is not much different from that of pastors in other protestant denominations.
Didn’t find your answer? Ask us!
We understand your concern of having questions but not knowing who to ask—we’ve felt it ourselves. When you’re ready to learn more about Adventists, send us a question! We know a thing or two about Adventists.