Affirm Christmas and holidays; significant for family and worship
The Salvation Army affirms Christian holidays, particularly Christmas and Easter, as occasions for worship, spiritual reflection, and family celebration. Christmas holds special significance in the Salvation Army as the season when the organization's iconic red kettles are deployed worldwide for fundraising to support the poor and vulnerable. This Christmas emphasis reflects both theological celebration of the Incarnation and the organization's practical mission of care.
The Salvation Army's approach to holidays combines spiritual meaning with practical service. Christmas kettle campaigns became a symbol of the organization's commitment to material mercy. While the organization does not require celebration of holidays, it affirms their value for community, worship, and mission. Holidays provide natural occasions for the organization to reach out to vulnerable populations.
Key Distinctions
- Christmas easter observed:
- observed — Christmas and Easter are core celebrations of the Christian calendar
- Biblical feasts observed:
- not formally observed; OT feasts are fulfilled in Christ
- Rationale:
- historical events of the Incarnation and Resurrection are celebrated liturgically
Scripture References
Sources
- Salvation Army Handbook of Doctrine
- Salvation Army tradition and practice