Spirit of Prophecy: How to Truly Celebrate Christmas

The Spirit of Prophecy advises that while the specific date of Christ's birth is unknown and not commanded in Scripture, the holiday season should be utilized not for selfish gratification, but as a golden opportunity to honor God through gratitude, self-denial, and the giving of liberal offerings to His causeRH December 9, 1884, par. 2+1.

Here are specific suggestions for celebrating Christmas in a way that heaven can approve:

Shift the Focus from Self to Service

The twenty-fifth of December is not the precise day of Christ's birth; God concealed this time for the wise purpose that the day itself should not receive the honor that belongs to Christ as the Redeemer of the worldRH December 9, 1884, par. 2. However, since the day is generally observed, it should not be passed over with indifference but made to serve a high and holy purposeRH December 9, 1884, par. 5.

• Avoid Gluttony and Display: The holiday should not be devoted to gluttony, feasting, or selfish indulgence, which exalts the creature above the CreatorEGWSROCHG 7.6+1.

• Redirect the Celebration: Instead of seeking amusement in vanity, the minds of youth and families should be turned toward God and the salvation of soulsRH December 9, 1884, par. 5.

The Christmas Tree as a specific Instrument for Good

There is no sin in selecting a fragrant evergreen and placing it in our churches; the sin lies in the motive which prompts the action and the use made of the gifts placed upon itAH 482.1+1.

• A Tree for God: God is well pleased if a Christmas tree is erected in the church, upon which are hung offerings, great and small, for His workRH December 11, 1879, par. 15.

• Fruit of Beneficence: Instead of loading the boughs with gifts for one another, let the tree be laden with the "golden and silver fruit of your beneficence" to be presented to Him as your Christmas giftRH December 11, 1879, par. 15.

• Symbolism: The evergreen tree can suggest the holy work of God and His beneficence to us, while the offerings represent the loving heart-work to save souls in darknessRH December 9, 1884, par. 9.

Guidelines for Gift-Giving

The custom of making expensive presents to friends and relatives often encourages pride, gratifies vanity, and diverts means that should flow into the treasury of the LordEGWSROCHG 3.5+1.

• Give to the Best Friend: We should not expend our means to please the fancy of earthly friends while neglecting our best Friend, the One to whom we owe everythingRH December 15, 1885, par. 2.

• Helping the Cause: Thousands of dollars usually spent on needless gifts should be turned into the channel of God's treasury to sustain missions and relieve the needs of the workPaM 261.2+1.

• Meaningful Gifts for Children: While we should train children to be unselfish, it is right to bestow tokens of love upon them if we do not forget God in the processRH December 26, 1882, par. 18. Recommended gifts include books that aid in understanding the Word of God or interesting histories, such as the history of the Reformation, which can be read together during long winter eveningsRH December 26, 1882, par. 18.

A Season of Missionary Zeal

The holidays are a time to show how large a place the Lord’s cause has in our heartsMMM 412.23.

• Remember the Unreached: This season is a fitting time to remember those in darkness and destitution, particularly in foreign mission fieldsST December 8, 1887, par. 10.

• Sacrificial Giving: Self-denial and self-sacrifice marked the course of Christ, and it should mark the course of those who profess to love HimRH December 9, 1884, par. 5. If the money usually devoted to useless indulgences were brought into the mission treasury, the work of God would be lifted above embarrassmentPaM 261.2.

• Teaching Children: Parents should teach their children the blessedness of doing for Christ by training them to bring their own little gifts and offerings to the LordST December 8, 1887, par. 15+1.

Summary of the True Holiday Spirit

The holidays should not be spent in seeking our own pleasure, for we are not to live for ourselvesRH December 7, 1886, par. 4.

• Gratitude: Let the season be characterized by heartfelt gratitude for the gift of God's dear SonPaM 261.2.

• Reconciliation: It is a time to clear the King's highway, to make restitution, and to confess sins, so that our prayers and offerings may be acceptable to GodST December 8, 1887, par. 15.

• Consecration: Let the new year not only be a time for offerings but for giving ourselves to God in willing serviceRH December 7, 1886, par. 14.

"Honor the LORD with your substance, and with the firstfruits of all your increase" Proverbs 3:9.