You may be wondering why this is even a question? Obviously, Christmas is a religious holiday for Christians all over the world. In fact, it is probably considered to be the de facto religious holiday on the Christian calendar. However, this site seeks to provide Bible answers according to what the Bible authorizes. We’re not interested in what culture thinks, or tradition, or religious leaders. We are only interested in what the Bible (e.g. God) says about it…

How Scripture answers "Is Christmas a religious holiday?"

There is no scripture that declares Christmas a religious holiday. While the birth of Christ is something to rejoice about1, there is no biblical authority that Christians should memorialize His birth. To the contrary, Jesus establishes His death as a memorial2. The Lord’s Supper was confirmed by the apostle Paul as something to be practiced by the local church each first day of the week3.

Answer built on scripture-blocks below

And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
An angel of God appeared to them [shepherds] and His glory shined around them filling them with fear. The angel told them not to be afraid, for he was there to let them know about the good news that would bring great joy to everyone. Today is born in Bethlehem of Judea a Savior, who is Christ the Lord!

Luke’s gospel account of the time of Jesus on earth.  Here is the story of Jesus birth. Matthew also provides an account of His birth, but Luke is the most detailed.

Scripture-block application to this question

The birth of Messiah is announced to the shepherds as “good news of great joy” for all mankind. The announcement is about His effect on mankind, and the actual day is unknown.

And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, Take; this is my body. And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.

As they [disciples] were eating, He [Jesus] took bread and blessed it. He then broke it gave it to them saying, “Take, this is My body.” Then He took a cup and gave thanks. Then He gave it to them and they drank while He said, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.”

Jesus and his disciples in the upper room on the night of his betrayal and trial. This institution of the ‘Lord’s Supper’ is also repeated in Matthew 26:26-29 and Luke 22:14-20.

Scripture-block application to this question

Jesus institutes the partaking of the ‘Lord’s Supper’ in the upper room the night of His betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion in the next morning.

Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.

Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord’s supper unworthily is guilty concerning His body and blood. Therefore, examine your worthiness to partake in it carefully, lest you bring judgment upon yourself.

Paul in his letter to the church in Corinth gives many admonitions and instruction about their worship practice.  In this case, he’s admonishing about the divisions created in their inappropriate Lord’s Supper practices.

Scripture-block application to this question

Paul refers to and affirms the same ‘Lord’s Supper’2 as an activity for the local church.

!! scripture-block context extra important here !!

Paul had received this instruction from the Lord (vs 23) and adds that each time they partake of it when they “come together as a church” (vs 18) they “proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” (vs 26)

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…and if you’re wondering more about what we’re doing and why, here are some links we hope can help explain it (and maybe even get you excited about contributing):

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