The discussion surrounding whether Jehovah’s Witnesses might one day permit
the celebration of Christmas is intriguing, given their staunch opposition to
this holiday. Their reasons for rejecting Christmas are rooted in its supposed
"pagan origins" and the lack of explicit biblical authorization to
celebrate Jesus' birth. Jehovah’s Witnesses claim moral and doctrinal high
ground by rejecting Christmas, yet the history of the Watch Tower Society
suggests otherwise. As Zion’s Watch Tower (1904) noted, the
organization’s founder, Charles Taze Russell, acknowledged that Christmas could
be celebrated as a tribute to Christ. The publication even stated that "it
is not necessary to quibble particularly about the date" and endorsed
participation with the "civilized world" in celebrating Christ’s
birth on December 25th. Until 1928, Christmas was celebrated at the Watch Tower
headquarters, including the exchange of gifts and festive meals. This practice
occurred long after the organization claimed Jesus had "inspected"
them in 1919 and deemed them the true religion. If Christmas was considered
pagan or unacceptable, why was it celebrated during such a formative period?
One of the primary arguments Jehovah’s Witnesses use to condemn Christmas
is its alleged connection to paganism. However, this reasoning is flawed for
several reasons. Jehovah’s Witnesses dismiss Christmas due to supposed pagan
origins but inconsistently tolerate other customs with similar roots. For
example, wedding rings, which are widely used by Witnesses, have origins in
pagan rituals. Or the names of days and months (e.g., Thursday, named after the
Norse god Thor) are of pagan derivation but are freely used without objection.
The claim that Christmas was established to replace pagan festivals such as Sol
Invictus is historically dubious. Scholarly research shows that December 25th
was chosen based on theological reflection, such as the "integral
age" theory, which posited that prophets died on the same date as their
conception. This calculation places Jesus’ birth nine months after March 25th,
the Feast of the Annunciation, resulting in December 25th.
While the Bible does not mandate the celebration of Jesus’ birth, it
provides ample precedent for commemorating significant acts of God. The angels
announced Jesus’ birth with rejoicing, declaring, "Glory to God in the
highest" (Luke 2:13-14). This heavenly response to the Incarnation sets a
clear example for believers to commemorate this momentous event. Jewish
culture, from which Christianity emerged, embraced annual festivals such as
Passover to commemorate God’s saving acts (Exodus 12:14). Celebrating Christ’s
birth aligns with this tradition of honoring God’s intervention in history.
The Watch Tower Society’s stance on Christmas highlights broader
inconsistencies in their doctrinal evolution. As mentioned in The Watchtower
(October 2024), a Bible student is depicted discarding Christmas decorations
after studying Scripture. Yet, this contradicts their earlier position in Zion’s
Watch Tower, which viewed Christmas as a legitimate way to honor Jesus. The
Governing Body has a history of adjusting policies to suit organizational
goals. While Jehovah’s Witnesses currently reject Christmas, it is conceivable
that this stance could change in the future, especially if it aligns with
strategic interests.
Critics often ask why December 25th was chosen if the Bible does not
explicitly mention Jesus’ birthdate. Here’s why this date remains significant.
December 25th, near the winter solstice, symbolizes the light of Christ
entering the world. This analogy is supported by John 1:5, which describes
Jesus as the light shining in the darkness. Early Christian writers such as
Hippolytus of Rome (c. 170–235 AD) mentioned December 25th as the date of Christ’s
birth, demonstrating that this tradition predates accusations of pagan
influence.
While Jehovah’s Witnesses reject Christmas based on claims of pagan origins
and a lack of biblical command, these arguments are neither historically
consistent nor theologically compelling. The celebration of Christ’s birth is
rooted in biblical principles, theological reflection, and historical
tradition. Furthermore, the Watch Tower Society’s own history of Christmas observance
undermines its current stance. Ultimately, Christians celebrate Christmas not
because of the date but because of the profound significance of the
Incarnation—God becoming man to bring salvation to the world. This celebration
aligns with biblical principles and the joyful proclamation of Christ’s coming,
offering believers a meaningful way to honor God’s greatest gift to humanity.
