As millions of Nigerians prepare for Christmas celebrations with carols, midnight services, feasting and family reunions, a number of Christian denominations in the country continue to reject the observance of Christmas — not as a cultural festival, but as a religious celebration.
While December 25 is widely celebrated across the nation as the birth of Jesus Christ, several churches argue that the holiday lacks clear biblical authority, has historical links to pagan customs and has become overly commercialised. �
Churches That Do Not Celebrate Christmas and Their Reasons
According to a Legit.ng list of churches in Nigeria that reject Christmas, some of the most prominent groups include:
Jehovah’s Witnesses – One of the best-known groups that do not observe Christmas, believing it has origins in “false religious beliefs or activities” and was only observed by them until 1928 before being discontinued based on doctrinal study. �
Seventh-Day Adventist Church – The Adventist Church teaches that Jesus was not born in December and that the Bible does not command Christians to commemorate His birth on a specific calendar day. The celebration is viewed by the church as commercialised and rooted in non-biblical traditions. �
Deeper Life Bible Church – Under Pastor W.F. Kumuyi, Deeper Life publicly declared that it does not celebrate Christmas because the festival and related customs are idolatrous or pagan in origin, and are not found in the practices of the early church.
God’s Kingdom Society (GKS) – Founded in Nigeria, this church believes Christmas grew from Roman pagan festivals such as Saturnalia and instead marks Jesus Christ’s birth in October with an event called “Freedom Day.”
Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) – Led by Bishop Daniel Olukoya, the church rejects Christmas as having pagan origins and no solid biblical mandates, preferring intense prayer and spiritual focus around year-end.
Local Theologians Offer Perspective
To understand why these churches hold such positions, eWeekly spoke to local clergy and scholars about the debate:
Rev. (Dr.) Gabriel Afolabi, lecturer in Theology at a leading seminary in Lagos, said:
“For many of these churches, the issue revolves around biblical authority — that is, if the Bible does not explicitly instruct Christians to celebrate a feast on this date, then celebrating it can be seen as an addition to scripture. Their concern is doctrinal fidelity and not denial of Christ’s significance.”
He added that some groups also worry that Christmas in Nigeria — much like elsewhere — has become more commercial and cultural than spiritual, diluting its intended focus.
Similarly, Pastor Esther Eze of Abuja, whose congregation celebrates Christmas, explains:
“We choose to celebrate Christmas to affirm the incarnation of Christ, but we recognise that Christians differ on the when and how. Those who do not celebrate still honour Jesus — they just believe the emphasis should be on everyday faith rather than one particular calendar day.”
Cultural and Theological Debate
For many Nigerians, Christmas remains a vibrant and much-anticipated holiday, blending worship with cultural expression and family life. For others, especially in the churches listed above, the emphasis is on continuous devotion rather than fixed festival dates.
Critics of the non-observance stance argue that even if the Bible does not mention December 25, celebration can still be an expression of faith and joy in Christ’s birth. Supporters of the non-celebration position counter that holiday customs, songs and symbols introduced later in Christian history do not reflect early church practices.
Looking Beyond December 25
Whatever the stance, this conversation reflects the diversity of Christian expressions within Nigeria, ranging from richly festive Christmas observances to quiet theological discipline. What unites all these groups is a shared belief in Jesus Christ — even if the way they honour Him differs.
As millions across Nigeria and the world celebrate Christmas this year, these distinct theological positions are likely to continue sparking discussion — with respect for both tradition and conscience.
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