What Does the Bible Say About Christmas?
"What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice." — Philippians 1:18
This verse Philippians 1:18 is often cited in discussions about Christmas because Paul's joy centers on Christ being proclaimed — regardless of the precise form that proclamation takes. It doesn't directly endorse a December celebration, but it establishes a principle: wherever and however Christ is lifted up, that's worth rejoicing over.
The Old Testament does establish the concept of holy convocations and appointed feasts set apart for the Lord (Leviticus 23:2 Leviticus 23:2), showing that God values dedicated, sacred time for worship. While Christmas isn't one of those Mosaic feasts, the broader biblical pattern of setting aside time to honor God provides a framework many Christians use to justify celebrating the Incarnation.
Protestant View on Christmas and the Bible
"What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice." — Philippians 1:18
Most Protestant traditions acknowledge that Christmas isn't explicitly commanded in Scripture. The word itself doesn't appear in the biblical text, and no specific date for Jesus' birth is given. However, Protestants widely affirm that celebrating Christ's Incarnation is consistent with Scripture's overall witness. Philippians 1:18
Paul's statement in Philippians 1:18 — that Christ is preached 'every way' and that's cause for rejoicing — is frequently invoked as a theological foundation for Christmas observance. Philippians 1:18 If proclaiming Christ's birth draws people to the gospel, many Protestants see that as a net positive, even if the holiday has non-biblical origins.
Reformed and more conservative Protestant voices sometimes point to Leviticus 23:2 Leviticus 23:2, noting that God prescribed specific feasts for Israel and Christmas wasn't among them. They argue Christians should be cautious about adding celebrations God didn't command. This is sometimes called the 'regulative principle' of worship.
Meanwhile, evangelical Protestants often emphasize Matthew 24:14 Matthew 24:14 — that the gospel of the kingdom must be preached to all nations — and see Christmas as a massive annual evangelistic opportunity, making it a practically valuable, if not biblically mandated, season of proclamation.
Key takeaways
- The word 'Christmas' never appears in the Bible, and no verse commands an annual celebration of Christ's birth. Philippians 1:18
- Philippians 1:18 establishes Paul's principle that Christ being proclaimed 'every way' is cause for rejoicing, giving Christians latitude on holiday observance. Philippians 1:18
- God did establish holy convocations and appointed feasts in Leviticus 23:2, but Christmas is not among the Mosaic feasts prescribed in the Old Testament. Leviticus 23:2
- Matthew 24:14 — the gospel preached to all nations — is frequently cited by evangelicals as a reason to embrace Christmas as an evangelistic opportunity. Matthew 24:14
- The Bible neither explicitly endorses nor forbids Christmas; it's a matter of Christian conscience and tradition rather than direct biblical command. Philippians 1:18
FAQs
Is Christmas mentioned in the Bible?
Does the Bible forbid celebrating Christmas?
What does the Bible say about spreading the gospel at Christmas?
Did God command any feasts or holy days in the Bible?
0 Community answers
No community answers yet. Share what you've read or learned — with sources.
Discussion
No comments yet. Be the first to share an interpretation, source, or counter-argument.