Some Christmas traditions have historical connections to pagan customs, but many have been reinterpreted with Christ-centered meaning. Scripture encourages discernment, not legalism, reminding us that what matters most regarding Christmas is honoring Jesus in how we celebrate.
Some Christmas traditions—like trees, wreaths, and December 25—may have historical ties to pagan customs, but that does not necessarily mean Christmas should not be celebrated. Many of these pagan traditions have been reinterpreted and redeemed with Christ-centered meaning. The Bible warns against adopting pagan worship but affirms the value of commemorating God’s acts, as long as we remain focused on honoring Him. Customs that do not worship pagan deities, are not worldly, and help us focus on Christ can be discerned whether we add them to our celebration of Christmas or not. The New Testament emphasizes personal freedom in observing days and warns against legalism or traditions that distract from Christ. While the origins of some customs are debated, what matters most is the heart and intention behind our celebrations and the way we seek to honor God with our traditions. Every believer should prayerfully decide which traditions help them glorify God, keeping Jesus—the true Light of the World—at the center of Christmas.
It is undeniable that many Christmas traditions have roots or parallels in pagan customs, but this reality doesn’t automatically mean Christians should reject celebrating Christmas. The history of Christmas traditions is complex and often contradictory, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact origins or meanings behind many practices.
One of the most debated points is the choice of December 25 as Jesus’ birth date. Some historians argue this date was chosen because it coincided with pagan festivals like the Roman Saturnalia or celebrations around the Winter Solstice, which marked the return of longer daylight hours and symbolized light overcoming darkness. However, early Christian writings also record December 25 as the day the church commemorated Jesus’ birth, indicating the date may have been set for theological reasons rather than simply co-opting pagan festivals. The key is understanding that Christians did not worship the solstice or pagan gods on this day but used the date to celebrate the true “Light of the World” (John 8:12).
The Christmas tree is often cited as having pagan roots because evergreen trees were used by some ancient cultures to symbolize eternal life and protection during winter. However, the modern Christmas tree tradition began in medieval Germany, where Christians used evergreens and candles to symbolize Jesus’ eternal life and light in the world. Similarly, wreaths and bells may have historical ties to older customs, but Christians have redeemed these symbols to represent themes like God’s unending love (wreaths as circles with no end) and the proclamation of Christ’s coming (bells ringing in joy).
Gift-giving at Christmas can also be linked to pagan Saturnalia festivals, but it has a strong Christian significance as well—mirroring the generosity of God in giving His Son (John 3:16) and recalling the gifts of the Magi to baby Jesus (Matthew 2:11). Santa Claus, while now often a commercial figure, originated from St. Nicholas, a 4th-century Christian bishop known for his generosity and care for the poor. Over time, his story became embellished, but the core of gift-giving reflects Christlike love.
Because of these mixed backgrounds, each believer must prayerfully discern which Christmas customs glorify God and which distract from Christ. For example, a family may joyfully put up a Christmas tree decorated with nativity scenes and scripture ornaments to remind themselves of Jesus’ birth. Another family may choose to avoid Santa Claus or commercial gift exchanges to keep the focus solely on Christ. Both approaches can be valid and honoring if the heart is centered on Jesus.
Regardless of how one approaches these traditions, all Christians can agree that Jesus’ incarnation—God becoming human in Bethlehem—is a unique and worthy reason for celebration. The heart of Christmas is not the customs or commercialism but the profound truth of God’s love breaking into history to redeem humanity (John 3:16–18).