The celebration of Christmas, or the feast of the nativity of Christ, is one of the most popular traditions among Christians. The Bible does not reveal the exact date when Jesus was born, however church tradition has led to celebrate Jesus’ birth on December 25.

Christmas has become one of the most significant Christian annual events. However, it is also a controversial feast among Christian circles, which dispute whether to engage or not in the celebration. Seventh-day Adventists are not the exception. Voices are being raised in the churches asking if to join Christmas traditions is in accordance or not with our faith. “Fortunately, Seven-day Adventists may be guided by the instructions given through the Spirit of prophecy as to how they can properly celebrate the coming holiday season” (Taylor G. Bunch, Celebrating Christmas, Review and Herald, December 6, 1945). Here are some suggestions:

1. Make Christmas a season to reflect in Jesus’ life and sacrifice: “Christmas day, precious reminder of the sacrifice made in man’s behalf” (Review and Herald, December 11, 1879). “Tell the children of the great missionary field and talk to them of the love of Christ, of the great sacrifice made because He loved us and wanted us to have a home with Him in His kingdom” (Review and Herald, December 11, 1888).

2. Make your holidays a time for personal reflection: “We are nearing the close of another year. Christmas and New Year's will soon be here. Let us candidly and carefully review our life during the year that is about to pass, with its burden of history, into eternity, and consider the many tokens we have had of the favor of God in the blessings he has bestowed upon us. The most unspeakable gift which God could bestow upon the world was the gift of his beloved Son.  (Review and Herald,, December 11, 1888).

3. Bring special offerings to God and show gratitude for His mercies: “We advise all our brethren and sisters to make a decided reform in regard to these festal days. Those who appreciate the fist of God’s dear Son to save them from ruin, now have a favorable opportunity to give tangible proofs of their gratitude by rendering to God their thank offerings” (Ibid).

4. Lay Aside Worldliness: “The various amusements of society have been the ruin of thousands who, but for these devices of Satan, might be servants of the living God….Now let us turn the current heavenward instead of earthward….Let there be recorded in the heavenly books such a Christmas as has never yet been seen, because of the donations which shall be given for the sustaining of the work of God and the upbuilding of His kingdom” (Review and Herald, December 9, 1884).

5. Make Christmas an enjoyable time, especially for children and youth: “[The youth] should not be left on Christmas to find their own amusement in vanity and pleasure-seeking, in amusements which will be detrimental to their spirituality. Parents can control this matter by turning the minds and offerings of their children to God and His cause…The desire for amusement, instead of being quenched and arbitrarily ruled down, should be controlled and directed by painstaking effort upon the part of the parents” (Adventist Home, p. 478).

6. Put under your “Christmas Tree” offerings for God’s cause: “In every church let your smaller offerings be placed upon your Christmas tree. Let the precious emblem “evergreen” suggest the holy work of God and His beneficence to us, and the loving heart-work will be to save other souls who are in darkness” (Review and Herald, December 9, 1884).

7. Make gifts that would lead to Christ: “It is right to bestow upon one another tokens of love and remembrance if we do not in this forget God, our best Friend. We should make our gifts such as will prove a real benefit to the receiver. I will recommend such books as will be an aid in understanding the Word of God, or that will increase our love for its precepts” (The Publishing Ministry, 345).

By: Kerry-Ann Chambers, Administrative Assistant Ellen G. White-SDA Research Centre