Why I No Longer Celebrate Christmas As A Christian

Growing up in a Christian family, Christmas was always the most magical time of the year for me. The twinkling lights, the smell of fresh pine, and the sound of Christmas music filled my home with warmth and joy.

As a child, I eagerly anticipated the arrival of Christmas morning, when I would rush to the tree to see what gifts my parents had got me.

As an adult, I cherished the opportunity to gather with loved ones, share gifts, and celebrate Christ.

However, as my faith has grown and matured, I’ve discovered the true meaning of this holiday.

In my studying of the Scriptures, I began to notice that many of today’s so-called Christian holidays are deeply rooted in paganism (the worship of false gods).

As a person who takes their faith seriously, I cannot participate in celebrations that are derived from the pagan worship of false gods.

I do not expect most people to agree with what I’m about to share. But please know that even though I am passionate about my convictions, I do not judge anywho that disagrees with my beliefs.

YHWH Commands That We Not Worship Him the Way Pagans Worship Their gods

Throughout the Scriptures, it is clear that YHWH does not want His people to worship Him in the ways the pagans worship their gods. Deuteronomy 12:30-31 states:

Take care that you be not ensnared to follow them, after they have been destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire about their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods?—that I also may do the same.’ You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way, for every abominable thing that the Lord hates they have done for their gods, for they even burn their sons and their daughters in the fire to their gods.

In the story of the Golden Calf in Exodus 32, Aaron is asked to make an idol for the people to worship while Moses communicates with God on the mountain.

When Aaron sees the calf, he builds an altar and proclaims a feast to the Lord. The people have fallen back into pagan practices and are worshipping a false idol.

They offer burnt offerings and bring peace offerings to the idol, and it appears to be a joyous celebration.

But YHWH is not pleased. He tells Moses that the people have corrupted themselves and turned away from His commands.

And the Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you.” – Exodus 32:9-10

He is so angry that He proposes to consume them with His wrath. This story shows the danger of mixing worship with pagan traditions, much like the celebration of Christmas.

The Commercialization of Christmas

Before I knew about the pagan origins of Christmas, something that I started to feel uncomfortable with was the rampant commercialization of the holiday.

In our society, Christmas has become synonymous with consumerism, as people rush to buy gifts, decorations, and festive foods.

This emphasis on material goods often leads to excessive spending, debt, and stress, as people feel pressured to meet the expectations set by others.

As a Christian, I was finding it increasingly difficult to reconcile the values of my faith with the consumer-driven nature of Christmas.

Now that I think about it, these feelings probably played a part in why I began to dig deeper into the origins of the holiday.

The Pagan Origins of Christmas

While many Christians believe that Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Christ, the truth is that the holiday’s roots can be traced back to ancient pagan celebrations.

The Roman festival of Saturnalia, which took place from December 17 to 23, involved feasting, gift-giving, gambling, decorating with wreaths, temporary reversal of social roles, and more.

Similarly, the winter solstice, celebrated by various cultures around the world, marked the birth of the sun and often included feasting, dancing, gift-giving, and the lighting of fires to ward off darkness.

When Christianity began to spread throughout the Roman Empire, early church leaders sought to convert pagans by incorporating their customs and traditions into Christian celebrations.

As a result, many of the symbols and rituals associated with Christmas—such as decorating trees, hanging mistletoe, and exchanging gifts—have pagan roots.

Is Celebrating Christmas Wrong?

It is ultimately up to each individual person to draw their own conclusions of whether celebrating Christmas is right or wrong. As the Bible states in Jeremiah 17:9-10:

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick;  who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”

I have chosen to honor the Lord by presenting Him with the gifts that He has explicitly asked for by commemorating His Feasts with celebration and reverence.

Don’t Take My Word For It

If you are seeking the truth, all you have to do is open your Bible and read it for yourself. Read the scriptures in their full context, study the Word, and pray for discernment.

If you want to learn more about the history of Christmas, here are some sources that can help you on your journey: