Here is a clear Scripture-based case for
1. Why Christians Should NOT Celebrate Christmas (From Scripture)
A. God forbids adopting pagan customs in worship
Deuteronomy 12:29–32
God directly commands Israel not to adopt pagan religious customs and then try to use them to worship Him:
“Learn not the way of the heathen…
What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.” (vv. 30–32)
Christmas traditions (tree, yule log, evergreen wreaths, sun-birth festivals) trace to ancient pagan solstice worship.
God says do not adopt their customs — even if your intention is to honor Him.
B. Worship must be according to God’s command, not human tradition
Jesus rebuked those who replaced God’s commands with their own religious customs:
Mark 7:6–9
“In vain do they worship me… holding the traditions of men…
Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.”
Christmas is not commanded anywhere in Scripture — it is a man-made tradition.
C. Christmas trees are directly associated with pagan worship
Jeremiah 10:2–4 describes a pagan custom shockingly similar to the decorated evergreen:
“Learn not the way of the heathen…
For the customs of the people are vain:
One cutteth a tree out of the forest…
They deck it with silver and with gold…”
This passage is not about “Christmas trees” per se, but it is about a pagan religious custom involving a decorated tree, and God says:
“Do NOT learn or practice it.”
D. True worship requires truth — not myths
John 4:23–24
“They that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
We cannot worship God “in truth” using a holiday built on false dates, false traditions, and pagan symbolism.
E. Paul warns believers not to mix Christ with paganism
2 Corinthians 6:14–17
“What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?…
What agreement hath the temple of God with idols?…
Come out from among them, and be ye separate…”
Christmas is precisely a mixing of Christ’s name with ancient pagan festivals.
2. Jesus Was NOT Born on December 25 (From Scripture)
There is no verse that gives a date — but Scripture makes December 25 impossible.
A. Shepherds were living in the fields — not in winter
Luke 2:8
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.”
In Judea, shepherds do not stay in open fields during December.
Cold rains begin in late October; flocks are brought into shelters.
So Christ’s birth could not have been in late December.
B. The Roman census would not be held in winter
Luke 2:1–5 — Joseph and Mary traveled for the census.
Rome did not require people to travel long distances in the cold, rainy winter when roads were dangerous and impassable.
Censuses were scheduled in milder seasons.
Thus, December is highly improbable.
C. Zechariah’s priestly course proves a different season
Luke gives us a time marker:
Luke 1:5 — Zechariah served in the course of Abijah.
The courses are listed in 1 Chronicles 24:7–19.
From this, you can trace:
- John the Baptist conceived after Zechariah’s service (Luke 1:23–24).
- Jesus conceived about six months after John (Luke 1:26, 36).
- Using the priestly rotation, the birth of Christ falls in the early autumn (around September/October), not winter.
This is why many who study the priestly courses conclude:
➡️ Christ was born during the fall Holy Day season, not December.
D. December 25 was a pagan solstice festival
While not Scripture, the Bible warns against exactly this type of thing: taking pagan festivals and slapping God’s name on them (Deut 12:29–32).
December 25 was the ancient birthday of the sun god (“Natalis Solis Invicti”).
This aligns with God’s warning in:
Jeremiah 10
Deut 12
2 Kings 17:15 — “They followed vanity, and became vain.”
Summary
❌ Should Christians celebrate Christmas?
No — Scripture warns against adopting pagan religious customs, following human traditions, and worshiping God with practices He did not command.
❌ Was Jesus born on December 25?
No — shepherds were in the fields, Rome avoided winter censuses, and the priestly-course timeline places His birth in the fall.
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SERMON: Why Christians Should Not Celebrate Christmas — And Why Jesus Was Not Born on December 25
Introduction
Brethren, today we examine a question that touches nearly the entire Christian world:
Should the people of God celebrate Christmas?
And was Jesus Christ born on December 25?
We will let the Bible answer — not tradition, not popular culture, and not religious customs inherited from the world.
God tells us to worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).
Truth matters.
And the truth is very different from what the world practices today.
I. God Forbids Adopting Pagan Customs in Worship
Turn to Deuteronomy 12:29–32.
Here God gives a direct instruction to His people as they enter a land filled with pagan religious customs:
“Learn not the way of the heathen…
Take heed that you be not snared by following them…
You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way.”
God’s people were not to take pagan practices, customs, or festivals and try to use them to worship Him.
This includes customs that look harmless — like trees, greenery, fires, or gift-giving associated with ancient winter festivals.
God says do not add to His ways.
Do not mix His worship with the traditions of the nations.
Christmas is exactly the kind of mixture God condemns.
II. Christ Condemned Worship Based on Human Tradition
Jesus warned about replacing God’s commands with man-made religious practices.
Turn to Mark 7:6–9.
Christ says:
“In vain do they worship Me… teaching for doctrines the commandments of men…
Full well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your own tradition.”
Today, Christmas is one of the most widespread traditions of men.
It is not commanded in Scripture.
The apostles never kept it.
The early church never kept it.
It came centuries later — from the world, not from God.
Brethren, Christ said human tradition cannot sanctify worship.
III. The Bible Shows the Pagan Origins of Tree Worship
Turn to Jeremiah 10:2–4.
“Learn not the way of the heathen…
For the customs of the people are vain.
One cuts a tree out of the forest…
They deck it with silver and with gold.”
This is not describing a “Christmas tree” in name — but it is describing a pagan religious custom involving a decorated evergreen.
And God says plainly:
“Do not learn it.”
Brethren, God does not accept worship mixed with practices He has condemned.
IV. True Worship Requires TRUTH
Turn to John 4:23–24.
“The true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth.”
You cannot worship God through error.
You cannot worship Him with customs whose origins are pagan.
And you cannot worship Him through a holiday built on a false date and false symbolism.
Truth matters.
Let us now look at the truth about the timing of Jesus’ birth.
V. Jesus Was NOT Born on December 25
There is no verse in Scripture that states the date of Christ’s birth.
But there are several that show December 25 is impossible.
A. Shepherds Were in the Fields — Not in Winter
Turn to Luke 2:8.
“There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.”
Shepherds in Judea did not stay out in the open fields during December — the cold, wet season.
By late autumn, flocks were brought into shelters.
Therefore Christ’s birth could not have been in late December.
B. Rome Would Not Hold a Census in Winter
Turn to Luke 2:1–5.
Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem for a census.
Rome did not order long-distance travel during winter when roads were muddy and dangerous.
Censuses were taken during milder seasons.
Thus, a December birth does not fit the biblical setting.
C. The Priestly Courses Point to a Fall Birth
Luke gives us a timeline:
- Zechariah served in the course of Abijah (Luke 1:5).
The courses are listed in 1 Chronicles 24. - John the Baptist was conceived after Zechariah’s service (Luke 1:23–24).
- Jesus was conceived six months later (Luke 1:26, 36).
When you follow the calendar of priestly rotation, it places:
- John’s birth in early spring,
- Jesus’ birth in early fall — around September or October.
This is consistent with shepherds being outside, travel being easy, and the timing of the census.
Brethren, the evidence points strongly to a fall birth, not December 25.
VI. December 25 Is the Date of a Pagan Solstice Festival
Though this is historical rather than scriptural, it connects directly to the warnings in Scripture:
December 25 was celebrated long before Christ as the birthday of the sun god —
“Natalis Solis Invicti,” the birth of the unconquered sun.
It was the climax of the winter solstice festival.
God warns repeatedly:
- Do not learn their ways (Jer. 10:2)
- Do not follow their customs (Deut. 12:30)
- Be separate from idolatry (2 Cor. 6:17)
Brethren, God does not want His people observing pagan festivals with Christian names added to them.
VII. God Calls His People to Come Out of Babylon’s System
Turn to Revelation 18:4.
“Come out of her, My people, that you be not partakers of her sins.”
Christmas is part of the Babylonian religious system — a blending of sun worship with the name of Christ.
God calls His people out of confusion, out of mixture, out of false worship — and into truth.
Conclusion
Brethren, we have seen today:
- God forbids adopting pagan customs.
- Christ condemns human religious tradition.
- The Bible describes pagan tree worship He rejects.
- True worship requires truth.
- Jesus was not born on December 25.
- December 25 is a pagan solstice festival dressed with Christian language.
So what should we do?
We obey God.
We worship Him the way He commands.
We keep the days He made holy — not the days the world created.
The world keeps Christmas.
But God’s people keep truth.
Closing Appeal
Brethren, let us commit ourselves to honoring God with pure worship — worship free from pagan customs, free from man-made traditions, and grounded firmly in the Word of God.
May God guide us to walk in truth and holiness before Him.
Amen.
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Here is a shortened sermonette version — clear, concise, and suitable for a 5–8 minute message.
SERMONETTE: Why Christians Should Not Celebrate Christmas
Introduction
Brethren, today we briefly examine two important questions:
- Should God’s people celebrate Christmas?
- Was Jesus Christ born on December 25?
We will look only at Scripture — not tradition — to answer these questions.
I. God Forbids Using Pagan Customs in Worship
Turn to Deuteronomy 12:29–32.
God commands His people:
“Learn not the way of the heathen… You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way.”
Christmas customs — evergreen trees, solstice lights, winter festivals — existed long before Christ, rooted in sun worship.
God says do not learn those practices, and do not mix them with His worship.
II. Christ Condemned Religious Traditions of Men
Turn to Mark 7:6–9.
Jesus said:
“In vain do they worship Me… teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
Christmas is a religious tradition invented by men, not commanded by God.
Christ warns that such worship is in vain.
III. Jesus Was Not Born on December 25
The Bible gives evidence that December 25 is impossible:
1. Shepherds in the fields — Luke 2:8
Shepherds do not stay outside at night in Judea in December.
2. Census travel — Luke 2:1–5
Rome did not require long travel during winter.
3. Priestly courses — 1 Chronicles 24; Luke 1
The timing of Zechariah’s service places Christ’s birth in the early fall, not winter.
Christmas is built on a false date.
IV. True Worship Requires Truth
Jesus said in John 4:23–24:
“True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth.”
We cannot worship God “in truth” using traditions rooted in error.
V. God Calls His People Out of Mixed Worship
Turn to Revelation 18:4:
“Come out of her, My people.”
Christmas blends the name of Christ with pagan solstice customs — the very mixture God warns against.
God calls His people out of that confusion, into pure worship based on His Word.
Conclusion
Brethren, the Bible shows:
- Christmas customs come from pagan worship.
- Christ condemns human religious tradition.
- Jesus was not born on December 25.
- True worship must be based on Scripture.
- God commands His people to avoid pagan practices.
Let us reject the traditions of the world and worship God in spirit and in truth.
Amen.
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Here is a bullet-point version of the sermonette — short, clear, and easy to present.
BULLET-POINT SERMONETTE
Why Christians Should Not Celebrate Christmas
Introduction
- Two questions:
- Should Christians celebrate Christmas?
- Was Jesus born on December 25?
- Scripture gives clear answers.
I. God Forbids Pagan Customs in Worship
- Deuteronomy 12:29–32
- “Learn not the way of the heathen.”
- Do not use pagan customs to worship God.
- Christmas traditions (tree, holly, lights) pre-date Christ.
II. Christ Condemned Human Religious Traditions
- Mark 7:6–9
- Worship based on man-made traditions is “in vain.”
- Christmas is a religious tradition created by men, not God.
III. Jesus Was NOT Born on December 25
- Shepherds in the fields — Luke 2:8
- Shepherds not outside at night in December.
- Census travel — Luke 2:1–5
- Rome did not schedule censuses during winter.
- Priestly courses — 1 Chronicles 24; Luke 1
- Timeline places Jesus’ birth in early fall, not winter.
IV. True Worship Requires Truth
- John 4:23–24
- Worship must be in “spirit and in truth.”
- Cannot worship God through error or false dates.
V. God Calls His People Out of Mixed Worship
- Revelation 18:4
- “Come out of her, My people.”
- Christmas blends Christ’s name with pagan customs.
Conclusion
- Christmas not commanded in Scripture.
- Its customs originate in pagan worship.
- Jesus was not born December 25.
- God expects worship according to His truth, not tradition.
Friends, let us commit ourselves to honoring God with pure worship, worship free from pagan customs, free from man-made traditions, and grounded firmly in the Word of God.
May God guide us to walk in truth and holiness before Him.
