The Bible describes the birth of Jesus Christ in detail, but it does not describe or command the celebration of Christmas as we know it today. The birth of Jesus is a historical and theological event in Scripture; Christmas is a later Christian tradition and is not found as a holiday in the Bible.
This article presents only what the Bible itself says, without traditions or opinions.
1. The Biblical Sources About Jesus’ Birth
The birth of Jesus is described only in:
- Matthew 1–2
- Luke 1–2
Mark and John begin their accounts later and do not mention the birth.
2. The Announcements of Jesus’ Birth
a. Announcement to Mary (Luke 1:26–38)
- The angel Gabriel appears to Mary.
- He tells her she will conceive by the Holy Spirit.
- The child is to be named Jesus.
- He will be the Son of the Most High and sit on David’s throne.
→ Fact: Jesus’ conception is supernatural, not by human means.
b. Announcement to Joseph (Matthew 1:18–25)
- Joseph discovers Mary is pregnant.
- An angel explains the child is from the Holy Spirit.
- This fulfills Isaiah 7:14:
“The virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel.”
→ Fact: Jesus’ birth fulfills Old Testament prophecy.
3. The Circumstances of Jesus’ Birth (Luke 2:1–7)
According to the Bible:
- Caesar Augustus orders a census.
- Joseph and Mary travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
- Mary gives birth to Jesus in Bethlehem.
- He is laid in a manger, because there was no room in the inn.
The Bible does not say:
- That Jesus was born in a stable.
(Only a manger is mentioned; the location is not described.) - How many people were present.
- That Mary arrived the same night.
- The date of Jesus’ birth.
4. The Shepherds (Luke 2:8–20)
The Bible says:
- Shepherds were in the fields at night.
- An angel announces the birth of the Messiah.
- A multitude of angels praises God.
- The shepherds find Jesus just as described: in a manger.
The Bible does not say:
- That this happened on December 25.
- That it was winter.
- How many shepherds there were.
5. The Wise Men (Matthew 2:1–12)
The Bible gives important details, different from many traditions:
The Bible says:
- Wise men from the East came to Jerusalem.
- They followed a star pointing to the “King of the Jews.”
- They found Jesus in a house, not in a stable.
- The Bible does not say there were three wise men; only that they brought three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
→ Fact: The wise men most likely came later, not on the night of the birth, since Herod killed all boys up to two years old (Matt. 2:16).
6. What the Bible Says About the Meaning of Jesus’ Birth
According to Scripture:
- Jesus is the Messiah, promised in the Old Testament (Luke 2:11).
- His mission is to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).
- His birth is God coming in the flesh (John 1:14).
- He is worthy of worship (Matthew 2:11; Luke 2:13–14).
→ Fact: The Bible focuses on the theological meaning of Jesus’ birth, not on a holiday.
7. What the Bible Says About Celebrating Christmas
This is crucial: The Bible never mentions Christmas.
The Bible says:
- No date for Jesus’ birth.
- No command to celebrate His birth annually.
- No example of early Christians keeping a yearly birthday festival.
The Bible does give principles about observing days:
Romans 14:5–6
“One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike.
Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.”
→ Fact: The Bible allows freedom in observing special days, as long as it is done to honor God.
8. Biblical Arguments For and Against Celebrating Christmas
FOR Celebrating Jesus’ Birth
- Angels celebrated and praised God at Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:13–14).
- Paul teaches believers can choose to observe special days to honor God (Rom. 14:5–6).
- The birth of Jesus is central to the redemption story.
AGAINST Celebrating Christmas as a Required Holiday
- The Bible gives no command to celebrate Jesus’ birth.
- The Bible gives no date for His birth.
- There is no biblical record of an annual celebration among early believers.
9. Factual Conclusion
Based solely on the Bible:
- The birth of Jesus is clearly recorded in Matthew and Luke.
- The Bible gives no date for the birth.
- The wise men were not three kings, and they did not arrive the night Jesus was born.
- The Bible gives no command to celebrate Christmas.
- Believers may celebrate if they choose, according to Romans 14.
- The focus of Scripture is on the meaning of Jesus’ birth, not on a holiday.
Summary
The Bible gives many details about the birth of Jesus, but nothing about Christmas as a holiday. Only Matthew and Luke describe His birth: Jesus was born in Bethlehem, laid in a manger, visited by shepherds, and later by wise men who came to a house. The Bible provides no date and no command to celebrate His birth annually. Romans 14 shows that believers are free to celebrate a day if they do so to honor God.
Conclusion: Scripture teaches clearly about the significance of Jesus’ birth, but not about the Christmas celebration.
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