CHRISTMAS: ITS MEANING, ORIGIN, CELEBRATION, RELIGIOUS DIFFERENCES AND THE EFFECTS OF COMMERCIALIZATION

Introduction

Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the world. For millions of people, it is a special season associated with the birth of Jesus Christ, love, peace, joy, generosity, forgiveness, family reunions, and giving. Churches organize special services, families gather together, children receive presents, and communities engage in charitable activities.

However, Christmas is also one of the most debated religious celebrations. While many Christians celebrate it as a way of remembering the birth of Jesus Christ, others, including Jehovah's Witnesses, do not celebrate it. Some people who once celebrated Christmas have also become uncomfortable with the increasing commercialization, materialism, pressure to spend money, and activities that seem to have little connection with the life and teachings of Christ.

This raises some important questions: What is Christmas? Why do people celebrate it? Why do some religious groups refuse to celebrate it? Has the commercial side of Christmas gradually overshadowed its spiritual meaning? And is the modern celebration bringing people closer to Christ or moving them further away from Him?

1. What Is Christmas?

Christmas is an annual religious and cultural holiday observed primarily on December 25 to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, whom Christians believe to be the Son of God and the Saviour of humanity.

The word Christmas comes from the expression "Christ's Mass," referring to a Christian worship service held in honour of Christ.

For Christians who celebrate it, Christmas is a reminder of God's love for humanity, demonstrated through the coming of Jesus Christ into the world.

The biblical account of Jesus' birth is recorded mainly in Matthew chapters 1 and 2 and Luke chapters 1 and 2.

According to the Bible, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, where Mary gave birth to Him and laid Him in a manger because there was no room available for them in the inn. Angels announced His birth, and shepherds came to see the newborn child.

Christmas therefore represents:

• The birth of Jesus Christ.

• God's love and mercy towards humanity.

• Hope and salvation.

• Peace and goodwill.

• Love, kindness, and generosity.

• The importance of humility and service to others.

An important historical point is that the Bible does not give the exact date of Jesus' birth. December 25 became established as the date of Christmas several centuries after the time of Jesus. Therefore, although many Christians celebrate on December 25, the date itself is not identified in Scripture as Jesus' birthday.

2. Why Do Many People Celebrate Christmas?

People celebrate Christmas for different religious, cultural, family, and social reasons.

A. To remember the birth of Jesus Christ

For many Christians, Christmas provides an opportunity to remember the birth of Jesus and reflect on the significance of His coming into the world.

B. To celebrate God's love

Christians believe that the birth of Jesus demonstrates God's love for humanity. John 3:16 speaks about God's love in giving His Son to the world.

C. To promote love and forgiveness

Christmas reminds people to forgive those who have offended them, restore broken relationships, and demonstrate love towards others.

D. To bring families together

Many families use Christmas as an opportunity to reunite, visit relatives, share meals, and strengthen family relationships.

E. To give and share with others

Giving presents, supporting the poor, visiting the sick, and helping the less fortunate are activities associated with the Christmas season.

F. To promote peace and goodwill

The Christmas message is often associated with the angelic announcement in Luke 2:14, which speaks of glory to God and peace on earth.

G. For cultural and social reasons

Not everyone who celebrates Christmas does so for religious reasons. Some people participate because it is a family tradition, a national holiday, or an opportunity to enjoy time with friends.

For such people, Christmas may be more about family, food, decorations, entertainment, and holidays than religious worship.

3. Why Do Jehovah's Witnesses Not Celebrate Christmas?

One religious group well known for not celebrating Christmas is the Jehovah's Witnesses. Their decision is based mainly on their interpretation of the Bible, their understanding of early Christian practices, and their desire to worship God in ways they believe are Scripturally approved.

It is important to understand that Jehovah's Witnesses do not reject Jesus Christ. They believe in Jesus, recognize Him as God's Son, and accept that salvation comes through Him. However, they disagree with the idea that Christians should celebrate His birth as an annual religious holiday.

Their reasons include the following:

A. The Bible does not command Christians to celebrate Jesus' birthday.

Jehovah's Witnesses argue that nowhere in the Bible did Jesus instruct His followers to celebrate His birth. Instead, they point to Luke 22:19-20, where Jesus instructed His disciples to remember His death.

They therefore believe that Christians should observe the Memorial of Christ's death rather than celebrate His birthday.

B. The actual date of Jesus' birth is unknown.

The Bible does not provide a specific date for Jesus' birth. Jehovah's Witnesses question why Christians should celebrate December 25 when there is no Scriptural evidence that Jesus was born on that day.

C. The historical origins of Christmas concern them.

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Christmas has connections with ancient pagan religious celebrations and customs. They argue that Christians should avoid religious practices that have their roots in the worship of other gods.

D. They believe that early Christians did not celebrate Christmas.

D. They believe that early Christians did not celebrate Christmas.

They point out that the early Christian community did not observe Christmas as an annual celebration of Jesus' birth.

E. They believe that worship should follow the Bible rather than human traditions.

They refer to Mark 7:7-8, where Jesus criticized religious practices that placed human traditions above God's commandments.

For these reasons, Jehovah's Witnesses choose not to celebrate Christmas, exchange Christmas gifts as part of the holiday, decorate Christmas trees, or participate in Christmas festivities.

Their position is a matter of religious conviction, and they generally maintain that individuals should be allowed to make their own religious decisions. Their official explanation can be found in the Jehovah's Witnesses' explanation of why they do not celebrate Christmas 

4. The Historical Origins of Christmas: What Does History Tell Us?

Understanding the history of Christmas helps explain why some people question its religious significance.

The Bible records the birth of Jesus in Matthew and Luke, but it does not identify December 25 as the date.

Historical records indicate that the church in Rome was observing the Feast of the Nativity on December 25 by AD 336. The precise reason this date was selected remains a subject of historical discussion.

Some historians connect the date with Roman winter celebrations, including Saturnalia and the festival associated with the birthday of the Unconquered Sun. Other explanations emphasize early Christian calculations concerning the date of Jesus' conception and birth.

Consequently, it would be inaccurate to claim that historians have conclusively established one single explanation for the choice of December 25.

Over the centuries, Christmas developed into a combination of Christian religious observances, European winter customs, family traditions, and commercial activities.

Some of the familiar customs include:

• Christmas trees and decorations.

• Santa Claus and gift giving.

• Christmas carols.

• Special meals and family gatherings.

• Church services and nativity plays.

These traditions have different historical backgrounds, and not all originated as Christian religious practices.

5. The Commercialization of Christmas: Has Business Taken Over the Celebration of Christ?

       

One of the greatest concerns about modern Christmas celebrations is the increasing influence of business, advertising, consumerism, and materialism.

Christmas was originally presented to many people as a religious celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. However, in many societies, the season has become a major commercial opportunity for businesses, shopping centres, manufacturers, restaurants, entertainment companies, and advertisers.

The question many people are beginning to ask is:

Are we celebrating the birth of Christ, or are we celebrating the business of Christmas?

Several developments have contributed to this concern.

A. The pressure to buy expensive gifts

Many people feel that they must buy expensive presents to demonstrate their love and appreciation.

Parents may feel pressured to buy costly toys, clothes, electronic gadgets, and other gifts for their children, even when they cannot afford them.

Some families borrow money, accumulate debts, and experience financial difficulties simply because they want to meet Christmas expectations.

This raises an important question: Should the celebration of love become a financial burden?

B. The influence of advertising and businesses

Businesses begin advertising Christmas products months before December.

Television, radio, social media, shopping centres, and online stores constantly encourage people to spend money.

The message often appears to be that happiness comes from buying more, owning more, and receiving more.

Unfortunately, the spiritual message of humility, compassion, and selflessness can become overshadowed by the desire to consume.

C. The elevation of Santa Claus above Jesus Christ

For many children, Santa Claus has become the central figure of Christmas.

Children are taught to wait for Santa, write letters to him, and anticipate the presents he will bring.

In some homes, the excitement surrounding Santa Claus, Christmas trees, presents, and decorations becomes greater than any discussion about the birth and teachings of Jesus.

This leads some religious observers to ask whether the celebration has gradually shifted its attention away from Christ.

D. Competition and comparison among families

Christmas can create unhealthy competition.

Some families compare their decorations, clothing, meals, holidays, and presents with those of their neighbours and friends.

Social media can intensify this pressure by displaying pictures of expensive celebrations and luxurious lifestyles.

People who cannot afford such activities may feel embarrassed, inadequate, or excluded.

Instead of promoting peace and contentment, the season can sometimes create anxiety, jealousy, and dissatisfaction.

E. Increased spending and financial hardship

For some households, Christmas becomes a season of unnecessary spending.

People may spend money they do not have, purchase things they do not need, and sacrifice essential household responsibilities to maintain appearances.

After the celebrations, January may bring financial difficulties, unpaid bills, and regret.

Is this consistent with the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized humility, compassion, and freedom from excessive attachment to material possessions?

F. The suffering of the poor is sometimes forgotten

While some people spend enormous amounts of money on Christmas celebrations, others struggle to obtain basic necessities such as food, clothing, shelter, and medical care.

A celebration supposedly associated with love, generosity, and goodwill should also remind society of those who are suffering.

Jesus demonstrated concern for the poor, the sick, the hungry, and the disadvantaged.

Matthew 25:35-40 emphasizes the importance of caring for people in need.

Perhaps one of the most meaningful ways to demonstrate the spirit of Christ is to help someone who cannot repay us.

6. Why Is the Commercialization of Christmas Putting Some People Off?

Increasing commercialization has caused some individuals to question their participation in Christmas celebrations.

Their concerns are not necessarily the same as those of Jehovah's Witnesses. Some still believe in Jesus Christ but are becoming uncomfortable with the way Christmas is observed.

Among their concerns are:

1. Loss of spiritual meaning: They feel that the religious significance of Christmas has been pushed into the background.

2. Excessive materialism: They dislike the idea that love must be demonstrated through expensive gifts.

3. Financial pressure: They are tired of being expected to spend money they cannot afford.

4. Hypocrisy: They observe people preaching love and peace during December but displaying hatred, selfishness, dishonesty, and intolerance throughout the rest of the year.

5. Religious confusion: They question why certain traditions are treated as essential Christian practices when they are not specifically commanded in the Bible.

6. Social pressure: They dislike being judged for choosing not to participate in Christmas activities.

7. Loss of authenticity: They feel that the season has become more about appearances, entertainment, and shopping than genuine love and compassion.

For these individuals, the issue is not necessarily opposition to Jesus Christ. Rather, it is concern about whether modern Christmas practices truly reflect His teachings.

7. What Did Jesus Actually Teach About Love, Giving, Humility, and Worship?

To understand the difference between the teachings of Jesus and the commercial culture surrounding Christmas, it is useful to examine some biblical passages.

 

Biblical reference

Main teaching

Matthew 22:37-39

Love God and your neighbour.

Matthew 6:19-21

Do not make earthly treasures the centre of your life.

Matthew 6:1-4

Give to others without seeking public recognition.

Luke 6:38

Be generous towards others.

Acts 20:35

There is greater happiness in giving than receiving.

Matthew 5:9

Blessed are the peacemakers.

Mark 10:45

Greatness is demonstrated through service.

John 13:34-35

Jesus commanded His followers to love one another.

 

These teachings show that the Christian message is not supposed to be limited to one day or one season.

Jesus taught His followers to practise love, kindness, forgiveness, generosity, and humility throughout their lives.

Therefore, whether someone celebrates Christmas or not, these principles remain important.

8. Can Someone Celebrate Christmas Without Losing Its Spiritual Meaning?

This is a question that Christians answer differently.

Some believe Christmas provides a meaningful opportunity to remember the birth of Jesus, worship God, share love, and help others.

They acknowledge that December 25 is not a confirmed date of Jesus' birth but argue that remembering His birth on a particular day can still have spiritual value.

Others believe that because Christmas is not commanded in Scripture and has historical connections with non-Christian customs, they should not participate.

Both positions involve religious convictions that deserve respectful discussion.

For those who choose to celebrate, some practical ways of keeping Christ's teachings central include:

• Spend more time discussing the life and teachings of Jesus.

• Avoid unnecessary borrowing and extravagant spending.

• Give to people who genuinely need assistance.

• Visit the sick, elderly, lonely, and disadvantaged.

• Promote forgiveness and reconciliation within families.

• Teach children that kindness is more valuable than expensive presents.

• Avoid excessive drinking, wastefulness, and irresponsible behaviour.

• Practise generosity throughout the year rather than only in December.

For those who choose not to celebrate, their decision should also be respected without ridicule, discrimination, or unnecessary family conflict.

 

9. The Bigger Question: Should the Spirit of Christ Be Limited to Christmas?

Perhaps the most important question is not whether someone celebrates Christmas on December 25.

The more important question is whether people actually practise the values Jesus taught.

What is the value of celebrating Christmas if people continue to hate one another, refuse to forgive, exploit the poor, engage in dishonesty, and neglect those who need help?

What is the significance of exchanging expensive presents when family members cannot live together in peace?

What does it mean to sing about peace on earth while promoting hatred, discrimination, selfishness, and violence?

If Jesus represents love, compassion, humility, forgiveness, and service, then these qualities should be visible in our daily lives.

The teachings of Christ should not be brought out once a year, displayed through decorations, songs, and religious ceremonies, and then forgotten when the season ends.

Christmas should not become an excuse for extravagance or a competition over who can spend the most money.

Likewise, those who do not celebrate Christmas should remember that refusing to observe a holiday does not automatically make someone more loving, generous, humble, or Christlike. These qualities must be demonstrated through everyday conduct.

 

Conclusion

Christmas is a celebration that carries different meanings for different people. For millions of Christians, it is an opportunity to remember the birth of Jesus Christ and reflect on God's love for humanity. For others, it is primarily a cultural and family celebration. Jehovah's Witnesses and some other religious groups choose not to celebrate it because of their interpretation of biblical teachings, the absence of a command to commemorate Jesus' birth, and concerns about the historical origins of the holiday.

At the same time, the increasing commercialization of Christmas raises legitimate questions about whether the original message of love, humility, peace, and generosity is being overshadowed by consumerism, extravagant spending, advertising, and material possessions.

There is nothing inherently wrong with families gathering, sharing meals, giving presents, or enjoying a holiday. The concern arises when material possessions become more important than human relationships, when financial pressure replaces generosity, and when commercial interests overshadow spiritual reflection.

Ultimately, the real measure of Christianity should not be how beautifully people decorate their homes, how much money they spend on presents, or how enthusiastically they celebrate a particular day.

The real measure should be how faithfully they practise the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Perhaps we should ask ourselves:

• Do we show love only at Christmas, or throughout the year?

• Do we give because we genuinely care, or because society expects us to?

• Do we remember the teachings of Jesus, or have we allowed commercial traditions to take centre stage?

• Are we bringing people closer to God through our actions, or are we simply participating in a seasonal celebration?

Whether we celebrate Christmas or choose not to celebrate it, one principle should remain unquestionable: love, kindness, generosity, forgiveness, humility, and compassion should never be seasonal.

If we truly want to honour the teachings of Christ, we should make every day an opportunity to practise the values He taught, rather than allowing one day of celebration to define our entire Christian faith.