Bible Verse About Not Celebrating Holidays

There isn’t a direct passage in the Bible prohibiting celebrating holidays. However, some verses touch on themes that some Christians interpret as cautionary when it comes to certain holidays. Example of such can be found in Colossians 2:16-17 “So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.”

Christians are not instructed in any way to celebrate holidays whatsoever in the Bible. Scripture does not make reference to holidays such as Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Independence Day, birthdays, anniversaries, and other such celebrations. Even the observance of Christmas and Easter is not an obligation according to the Bible. As a result of the absence of any biblical command or precedent about the celebration of modern holidays, some people have chosen not to observe these days, even those holidays that are believed to be Christian holidays.

We’ll explore these verses and how they might influence a Christian’s approach to celebrating holidays.

In today’s culture, holidays are often seen as a time of joy, celebration, and family gatherings. However, some people choose not to participate in certain holidays for religious reasons. For those who follow the Bible closely, there are verses that discourage the celebration of holidays.

Here are 10 Bible verses that explain why some choose not to celebrate holidays:

1. Deuteronomy 12:30-31

Take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, “How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.” You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way; for every abomination to the Lord which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.

2. Colossians 2:8

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

3. Galatians 4:8-10

But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years.

4. 1 Corinthians 10:14-22

Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.

5. Isaiah 1:14-17

Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow.

6. Romans 14:5-6

One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.

7. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate,” says the Lord. “Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.”

8. 1 John 2:15-17

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

9. Jeremiah 10:1-4

Hear the word which the Lord speaks to you, O house of Israel. Thus says the Lord: “Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the Gentiles are dismayed at them. For the customs of the peoples are futile; For one cuts a tree from the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the ax. They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with nails and hammers so that it will not topple.”

10. Matthew 15:9

And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.

These verses provide insight into why some individuals choose not to celebrate holidays. It is important for each person to prayerfully discern their own beliefs and convictions when it comes to participating in holidays. Ultimately, what matters most is honoring and glorifying God in all aspects of our lives.

What Does the Bible Say About Celebrating Pagan Holidays

As Christians, we are called to live a life that is in alignment with the teachings of the Bible. This includes how we choose to celebrate holidays and special occasions. One common debate among Christians is whether it is appropriate to celebrate pagan holidays. Let’s take a look at what the Bible has to say about this topic.

1. Exodus 20:3

“You shall have no other gods before me.”

2. Deuteronomy 12:30-31

“…do not inquire about their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods?—that I also may do the same.’ You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way, for every abominable thing that the Lord hates they have done for their gods…”

3. Galatians 4:8-10

“Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? You observe days and months and seasons and years!”

4. 1 Corinthians 10:20-21

“No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.”

5. Colossians 2:8

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”

6. Leviticus 18:3

“You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes.”

7. Jeremiah 10:2-4

“Thus says the Lord: ‘Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them, for the customs of the peoples are vanity. A tree from the forest is cut down and worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman. They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so that it cannot move.”

8. 1 Thessalonians 5:22

“Abstain from every form of evil.”

9. 2 Corinthians 6:14-16

“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, ‘I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.'”

10. Romans 12:2

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Celebrating Holidays in The Bible

Throughout the Bible, there are numerous references to the importance of celebrating holidays and festivals. These occasions were often prescribed by God as a way for His people to remember His faithfulness, show gratitude, and come together in worship. Let’s explore some verses that highlight the significance of celebrating holidays in the Bible.

1. Exodus 12:14

“This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast.”

2. Leviticus 23:2

“Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, These are the appointed feasts of the Lord that you shall proclaim as holy convocations; they are my appointed feasts.”

3. Deuteronomy 16:15

“For seven days you shall keep the feast to the Lord your God at the place that the Lord will choose, because the Lord your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you will be altogether joyful.”

4. 1 Corinthians 5:8

“Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

5. Psalm 118:24

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

6. Colossians 2:16-17

“Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.”

7. Nehemiah 8:10

“Then he said to them, ‘Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’”

8. Matthew 26:26

“Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’”

9. John 7:37

“On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.’”

10. Acts 18:21

“But on taking leave of them he said, ‘I will return to you if God wills,’ and he set sail from Ephesus.”

These verses demonstrate the biblical mandate to celebrate holidays as a way to honor God, remember His goodness, and foster a spirit of joy and thanksgiving among His people. By observing these appointed times and festivals, believers can deepen their faith and draw closer to the Lord.

What Does the Bible Say About Celebrating Festivals

Many cultures around the world celebrate various festivals and holidays throughout the year. But what does the Bible say about celebrating festivals? Let’s explore this topic by looking at some key verses from the Bible.

1. Leviticus 23:1-2

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Speak to the Israelites and say to them: These are my appointed festivals, the appointed festivals of the Lord, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies.’”

2. Deuteronomy 16:16

“Three times a year all your men must appear before the Lord your God at the place he will choose: at the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Weeks and the Festival of Tabernacles.”

3. Colossians 2:16-17

“Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”

4. Romans 14:5-6

“One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord.”

5. Acts 18:21

“But as he left, he promised, ‘I will come back to you if it is God’s will.’ Then he set sail from Ephesus.”

6. Galatians 4:10

“You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.”

7. Psalm 118:24

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

8. Matthew 26:17-30

“Jesus said, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer…’”

9. 1 Corinthians 5:7-8

“Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

10. Exodus 23:14-17

“Three times a year you are to celebrate a festival to me… Celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread; for seven days eat bread made without yeast, as I commanded you. Do this at the appointed time in the month of Aviv, for in that month you came out of Egypt.”

What Holidays Does the Bible Say to Celebrate

As Christians, it is important to seek guidance from the Bible on how to approach the celebration of holidays. While there are numerous holidays and festivals celebrated around the world, the Bible provides clear instructions on which holidays are significant and how we should observe them. Let’s explore some of the holidays mentioned in the Bible and the verses that support their celebration.

1. Sabbath

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. – Exodus 20:8-10

2. Passover

The Lord’s Passover begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. – Leviticus 23:5

3. Pentecost

Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the Lord. – Leviticus 23:16

4. Feast of Trumpets

In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a rest, a memorial proclaimed with the blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. – Leviticus 23:24

5. Day of Atonement

The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. Hold a sacred assembly and deny yourselves, and present a food offering to the Lord. – Leviticus 23:27

6. Feast of Tabernacles

On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, the Lord’s Festival of Tabernacles begins, and it lasts for seven days. – Leviticus 23:34

7. Hanukkah

Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. – John 10:22-23

8. Purim

Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar. – Esther 9:20

9. Resurrection Day (Easter)

He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee. – Luke 24:6

10. Thanksgiving

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. – Psalm 100:4

Holiday

Verse

Sabbath

Exodus 20:8-10

Passover

Leviticus 23:5

Pentecost

Leviticus 23:16