In a culture where holidays are often dominated by commercialism, secular traditions, and distractions, many Christians long for celebrations that reflect their faith and honor Jesus Christ. While some may consider abandoning traditional holidays like Christmas or Easter altogether, a more practical and meaningful approach is to redeem these occasions. Instead of allowing cultural norms to dictate how we celebrate, Christians can reshape holidays into opportunities for worship, reflection, and service—centered entirely on Christ and His redemptive work.
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The Bible does not explicitly command the celebration of holidays like Christmas or Easter. Yet, Scripture does encourage believers to honor God in everything they do, leaving room for thoughtful, Christ-focused observances. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:31:
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
By reclaiming holidays for Christ, Christians can honor their Savior while creating meaningful traditions that point themselves, their families, and their communities to the gospel.
Reframing Holidays for Christ-Centered Worship
Below is a practical guide to keeping the traditional holiday calendar while reshaping each occasion to reflect biblical values and focus on Christ.
1. Christmas: Celebrating the Incarnation
Date: December 25
Focus: The birth of Jesus Christ—God made flesh to dwell among us (John 1:14).
Why It Matters:
The incarnation is one of the most profound events in Scripture, marking the moment when God entered human history to fulfill His plan of redemption. Luke 2:11 proclaims:
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”
How to Celebrate Christ-Centered Christmas:
- Scripture Reading: Start Christmas morning by reading the nativity story (Luke 2:1-20; Matthew 1:18-25). Reflect as a family on the humility of Christ’s birth and its significance.
- Simplified Gift-Giving: Limit or redirect gift-giving to avoid materialism. Exchange thoughtful, modest gifts that reflect God’s generosity or give to ministries in Jesus’ name.
- Acts of Service: Reflect on Christ’s selflessness by serving others. Provide meals for the needy, volunteer, or give anonymously to someone in need (Matthew 25:35-40).
- Christ-Focused Decorations: Use a nativity set as the centerpiece of your home.
The use of evergreen trees, holly, and mistletoe predates Christianity and was associated with pagan practices symbolizing life and fertility during the winter months. Martin Luther is often credited with introducing the tradition of decorating Christmas trees with lights in the 16th century, drawing inspiration from the stars shining through the trees.
However, critics like Charles Spurgeon, the famous 19th-century preacher, cautioned against adopting secular customs in worship, stating:
“We have no superstitious regard for times and seasons. Certainly, we do not believe in the present ecclesiastical arrangement called Christmas…because we find no scriptural warrant whatever for observing any day as the birthday of the Savior.”
2. Easter: Celebrating the Resurrection
Date: Springtime (Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox)
Focus: The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who conquered sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
Why It Matters:
Easter marks the most important event in the Christian faith—the resurrection of Christ. As 1 Corinthians 15:20 states:
“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
How to Celebrate Christ-Centered Easter:
- Holy Week Focus: Spend the week leading up to Easter reading the gospel accounts of Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection (Matthew 26-28; Mark 14-16).
- Good Friday Reflection: Observe Good Friday with a time of prayer, Scripture reading (Isaiah 53; John 19), and gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice.
- Resurrection Sunday Worship: Celebrate joyfully by attending church, singing resurrection hymns like “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today,” and sharing testimonies of God’s grace.
- Family Teaching: Replace egg hunts with meaningful activities like “Empty Tomb” crafts to help children understand the resurrection.
3. Thanksgiving: Gratitude for God’s Provision
Date: Fourth Thursday of November (U.S.)
Focus: A day to reflect on God’s faithfulness and blessings (Psalm 107:1).
Why It Matters:
Thanksgiving is an opportunity to cultivate gratitude as a spiritual discipline. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 instructs:
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
How to Celebrate Christ-Centered Thanksgiving:
- Gratitude Sharing: Gather as a family and share specific blessings from the year. Write them down in a “gratitude journal” or display them visually.
- Scripture Reading: Reflect on God’s provision by reading Psalm 100 or Philippians 4:6-7.
- Acts of Charity: Provide meals or donations to those in need as a way to thank God for His blessings.
4. Redeeming Other Holidays
New Year’s Day:
- Focus: A fresh start in Christ. Reflect on Lamentations 3:22-23, which reminds us that God’s mercies are new every morning.
- Ideas: Pray as a family for spiritual growth and renewed purpose in the new year. Set goals centered on faith, Scripture reading, and serving others.
Valentine’s Day:
- Focus: God’s love for us and our call to love others (1 John 4:7-12).
- Ideas: Write encouraging notes to family, friends, or the lonely. Reflect on God’s sacrificial love shown through Christ.
Independence Day (or National Holidays):
- Focus: Thanking God for freedoms while remembering ultimate freedom in Christ (Galatians 5:1).
- Ideas: Pray for the nation’s leaders and reflect on spiritual freedom through Christ’s work.
Birthdays and Anniversaries:
- Focus: Reflecting on God’s faithfulness.
- Ideas: Spend time in prayer, thanking God for life and blessings while seeking His guidance for the future.
Biblical Reasons for Redeeming Holidays
- Honoring God in All Things:
Scripture teaches us that whatever we do should be done for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Holidays can be opportunities to worship, reflect, and share God’s goodness. - Avoiding Conformity to the World:
Romans 12:2 instructs believers not to conform to the patterns of this world. Redeeming holidays allows Christians to resist consumerism and cultural distractions while focusing on Christ. - Teaching Future Generations:
In Deuteronomy 6:6-7, God commands His people to teach their children His truths. Holidays can be powerful teaching moments, passing on faith-centered traditions to future generations. - Proclaiming Christ to Others:
When believers celebrate holidays differently—by worshiping Christ and serving others—they shine the light of the gospel to a watching world (Matthew 5:14-16).
Summary: Keeping the Calendar, Reclaiming the Focus
Rather than abandoning traditional holidays, Christians can reclaim them for Christ by redefining their focus and purpose. Whether it’s Christmas, Easter, or Thanksgiving, the goal is to honor Jesus, worship in spirit and truth, and avoid the distractions of secularism and materialism. By centering these celebrations on biblical truths, believers can deepen their faith, strengthen their families, and share the gospel with others.
As the apostle Paul encourages in Colossians 3:17:
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
When Christ remains at the center, even the most familiar holidays can become opportunities to reflect on God’s goodness, worship with sincerity, and proclaim the hope of the gospel.
All Scripture quoted from:
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
