Christmas and Easter not prohibited but questioned by some Adventists
Adventism does not officially prohibit the observance of Christmas or Easter and many Adventist churches hold special services for these occasions. However, a portion of Adventists question these holidays because of their historical associations with pre-Christian traditions or their absence from explicit New Testament instruction. The Sabbath, not Sunday holidays, is the commanded commemorative institution.
Adventism's liturgical calendar centers on the weekly Sabbath and does not follow the traditional Christian ecclesiastical calendar in the way that Catholic, Orthodox, and many Protestant churches do. The church's relationship to Christian holidays is therefore more cautious and varied than in mainstream Protestantism, without constituting a formal prohibition.
Key Distinctions
- Christmas easter observed:
- observed by many members; not formally prohibited; Ellen White cautioned against excess
- Biblical feasts observed:
- not observed — OT feasts fulfilled and not required
- Rationale:
- freedom of conscience; Christ's birth and resurrection may be honoured spiritually
Scripture References
Sources
- Seventh-day Adventist Church, 28 Fundamental Beliefs, Belief 22 (Christian Behavior)