Why Christmas is Not a Biblical Holiday

"Christmas is a Biblical holiday because it's in the Bible!"

While many people intend to celebrate the Biblical events of the Messiah's birth when they celebrate Christmas, that does not make this cultural holiday Biblical.

Why isn't Christmas considered a Biblical holiday?

Biblical holidays are defined as holidays the Bible directs believers to keep or observe. These are the set apart times of Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Shavuot, Trumpets, Yom Kippur, and the Feast of Tabernacles. The Living God himself directed believers to celebrate these and gave us information on when they happen and any special instructions for the festivities.

These are the only Biblical holidays, because they are the only holidays that the Creator tells us to celebrate. Learn more about them here.

"But Christmas is in the Bible!"

Many people celebrate the events of Luke 2 and the story of the Messiah's birth on Christmas. I understand the intentions of this are good. But coming up with our own holiday to commemorate Biblical events is not something Scripture ever tells us to do, and neither is celebrating birthdays. We never see the Disciples celebrating the Messiah's birthday, and nothing in Scripture suggests we should do this. There are no instructions for Christmas, and no commands from the Messiah or any writers of the Old or New Testaments about this holiday. In truth, Christmas has no more Biblical legitimacy than Dress-Like-Your-Favorite-Bible-Character Day during Vacation Bible School. A manmade celebration of a Biblical event simply should never be as highly esteemed as the holidays created by the Living God that Scripture tells us to celebrate.

It's important to know too that the word 'Christmas' is never used in Scripture, and that many of its traditions not only have nothing to do with the Messiah or things from the Bible, but they are things Scripture tells us not to do! I'm talking about things like the traditional Christmas ham, lying to children (Santa, Elf on the shelf), bringing a tree in to decorate, and so on. Way too many people claim that Christmas celebrations are about honoring the Messiah, but then ignore much of his word for their festivities.

Again, I know that most people who celebrate Christmas sincerely want to honor the Messiah. I know that's how I felt when I celebrated it. But good intentions don't mean that this is something the Creator tells us to do. Christmas is not considered a Biblical holiday, because the Bible does not direct us to celebrate the events or to partake in the cultural festivities of this time. It's your choice to take part in this or not, but please be aware that Christmas is not one of the seven holidays the Creator instructs us to keep.

Related posts:
Five Things Every Believer Should Know About Christmas
Are Christmas Trees in the Bible?
Why I Stopped Celebrating Christmas

Are Christmas Trees in the Bible?

Are Christmas trees in the Bible? Even though most people believe Christmas is "in the Bible," most of its traditions and customs do not come from Scripture. You probably don't need me to tell you that stockings full of gifts, Santa Claus, candlelit services, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, hanging mistletoe, and eggnog are not found anywhere in Scripture. But one popular Christmas tradition is found in the Bible.

Do you know what it is? The Christmas tree.

Now, it's not explicitly called that. The word 'Christmas' is never used in any book of the Bible - Old or New Testament. Many believers will be surprised to learn that Scripture never tells us to celebrate Christmas or even the birth of Jesus. But Jeremiah 10 does describe something familiar to all Christmas celebrations. The description sounds a lot like the brightly decorated evergreen trees that many Christians place in their homes in December.

Where are Christmas trees in the Bible?

We can find reference to this in the writings of Jeremiah:

Thus said YHWH, "Do not learn the way of the nations, and do not be awed by the signs of the heavens, for the nations are awed by them. For the laws of these peoples are worthless, for one cuts a tree from the forest, work for the hands of a craftsman with a cutting tool. They beautify it with silver and gold, they strengthen it with nails and hammers so it doesn't topple." -Jeremiah 10:2-4

They cut a tree...they decorate it...and they secure it so it doesn't fall over. Doesn't that sound very much like a traditional Christmas tree to you?

We should note that Jeremiah is quoting the Living God himself here. These are YHWH's words, and they start with, "Do not."

Why does the Bible say not to cut trees down and bring them into our homes? Are Christmas trees bad?

In Scripture trees are often connected to worship of other gods. Deuteronomy 16:21 says that no kind of tree is to be planted beside the altar of YHWH. Jeremiah 3:9 says that the house of Israel committed adultery "with stones and trees." Several passages of Scripture warn of idols made of trees. And a common phrase connected with idolatry throughout the Bible is that it occurred under "every green tree." And then of course the original sin of Adam and Eve in the garden had to do with them refusing to honor instructions related to a tree.

Yes, trees were made by the Creator and have many positive references in the Bible. And no, I certainly don't think that all trees are bad somehow. But the connection between trees and sin and idolatry gives me pause, especially when there is the verse in Jeremiah that strongly correlates to the Christmas trees we see in so many churches and households.

Now many people will tell you that the tree in Jeremiah 10 is not a Christmas tree. They believe it's fine to cut a tree down and decorate it since they aren't worshiping that. But this passage of Scripture says not to learn this way because it is "worthless." What does it mean if we are taking Luke 2 (the story of the Messiah's birth) and mixing it with something the Living God calls worthless? Is that watering down the message of the Gospel? Is that confusing people who read the Bible and see how it contradicts with popular Christian theology and lifestyles? 

Scripture tells us in the golden calf story that the people involved meant that as a way to worship YHWH (Exodus 32:5), but YHWH himself still called the calf an idol in Exodus 32:8. Even if he hadn't done so, I think most of us would still refrain putting any sort of golden calf or cow statues in our home - even if we didn't intend to worship it. In the same way, it makes sense for believers to honor this Biblical admonish "not to learn" the way of those who cut a tree down and take it inside and decorate it.

Related posts:
Five Things Every Believer Should Know About Christmas
The Christmas Question Documentary Interview with Kayte Abaffy
Why I Stopped Celebrating Christmas

Here's When the Biblical Holidays Happen in 2023

This is when the Biblical holidays happen in 2023.

What are the Bible holidays? Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Shavuot, the Feast of Trumpets, Yom Kippur, and the Feast of Tabernacles are all days we are told to observe and celebrate in Scripture. They are listed in Leviticus 23, Deuteronomy 16, and elaborated on elsewhere in Scripture. Each of these has historic and prophetic significance for Bible believers!

The Bible gives specific dates for each holiday, but since the Gregorian calendar doesn't match up with the Creator's calendar the dates land a little bit differently each year on our modern calendar. There are also a few different ways to calculate the start of the year and because of that some groups will observe them at slightly different times. What I'm sharing here is the most commonly used set of dates. Whether you go by this calendar or another, mark your calendars for these set apart times!

When do the Biblical holidays happen in 2023?

Passover - April 5-6

Unleavened Bread - April 6-13

First Fruits - April 8-9

Shavuot - May 25-27

Feast of Trumpets - September 15-17

Yom Kippur - September 24-25

Feast of Tabernacles - September 29 - October 7

A couple of things about this: according to this calendar, days start in the evening at sundown. This means that Passover starts on the evening of April 5 and goes through the evening of the 6th. This calendar also gives an extra day to both the Feast of Trumpets and Shavuot, even though in the Bible they are both just one day events.

It's also important to note that while all of these are special times, some of these are also considered Sabbath days which means we shouldn't work on them. These Sabbath days are the first and last days of Unleavened Bread, Shavuot, the Feast of Trumpets, Yom Kippur, and the first and last days of Tabernacles.

More on the Biblical holidays:
Why I Started Celebrating the Biblical Feasts
Why the Biblical Holidays are for All Believers
The Beginner's Guide to the Biblical Holidays

Biblically Clean Breakfast Ideas

When transitioning to Biblically clean eating many people have shared that breakfast is where they struggle. When you're used to eating bacon, sausage, or other unclean meat it can be hard to figure out what to eat instead. I'm sharing ideas for Biblically clean breakfasts, but please keep in mind that you certainly don't have to whip one of these up everyday. You can of course make your own versions or eat cereal, peanut butter toast, a cup of yogurt, a piece of fruit, or other hassle free foods for breakfast. These recipes are great and I would recommend trying them, but use this as a starting point for what you can make or order for breakfast, not a conclusive list. Many of these recipes would also work well for dinner or a snack.

Oven Hash Browns from A Couple Cooks

The Fluffiest Blueberry Pancakes from Pinch of Yum

Creamy Spinach, Potato, Turkey Breakfast Casserole from Pinch of Yum

Peanut Butter Overnight Oats from How Sweet Eats

Savory Chicken Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Muffins from Ambitious Kitchen

Breakfast Vegetable Scramble from A Couple Cooks

Healthy Granola from Cookie and Kate

Strawberry Shortcake Yogurt Bowls from Pinch of Yum

Blueberry Turkey Breakfast Sausage from Ambitious Kitchen

Foolproof French Toast from Cookie and Kate

Turkey Poblano Breakfast Enchiladas from Pinch of Yum

Pumpkin Pie Baked Oatmeal from Ambitious Kitchen

Smoked Salmon Bagel from A Couple Cooks

Five Minute Pesto Breakfast Sandwich from A Couple Cooks

Healthy Make Ahead Breakfast Casserole from Cookie and Kate

Summer Breakfast Tacos from How Sweet Eats

Scrambled Egg Toasts with Roasted Asparagus from Well Plated

Perfect Waffles from A Couple Cooks

Please remember that these recipes are intended to give you an idea of Biblically clean breakfast and brunch options. You don't have to make these exact recipes or cook all of these things from scratch in order for it to follow Biblical guidelines. There are plenty of store and restaurant versions that work as well!

More on Biblically Clean Eating: 
Why Believers Should Keep the Bible's Dietary Commandments
Sabbath Friendly Oatmeal Recipe

How to Eat Biblically Clean