One of the most widely observed holidays in the world, Christmas is observed on December 25 and commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ.
Some Nigerian churches, however, choose not to participate in this celebration, citing factors like its historical roots and a dedication to rigorous biblical observance.
Here are the five Nigerian churches that do not participate in Christmas celebration:
1. Jehovah’s Witnesses
Historically, one of the biggest groups to abstain from Christmas celebrations was Jehovah’s Witnesses. Although they celebrated the holiday at first, the group ceased doing so in 1928.
The 1993 book Jehovah’s Witnesses: Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, claims that the Witnesses gave up on Christmas because it was founded on “false religious beliefs.”
The group maintained that the Bible would have addressed the significance of celebrating Christmas if it were mandated, despite the fact that the change was gradual and some members needed time to fully embrace the new position.
2. Seventh-Day Adventist Church
Christmas is also not observed by Seventh-Day Adventists, who observe the Jewish Sabbath on Saturdays. According to the church, Christmas is seen as a commercialized event with pagan roots because Jesus wasn’t born in December and the Bible doesn’t mandate celebrating His birth.
Nonetheless, some members might spend Easter or Christmas in private with loved ones. The church ultimately lets people make this choice, urging them to prioritize their faith and relationship with Christ over following secular traditions.
3. Deeper Life Bible Church
The leader of Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor W.F. Kumuyi, announced a number of years ago that his congregation does not observe Christmas. Kumuyi clarified during the church’s December retreat in 2013 that Christmas has idolatrous roots and that Deeper Life does not partake in Christmas songs and customs because they are not found in the Bible or early Christian practices.
4. God’s Kingdom Society (GKS)
In October, the God’s Kingdom Society (GKS), which was established in 1934 by St. Gideon Meriodere Urhobo in Nigeria, celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ with an occasion known as Freedom Day. GKS feels that the October date is more in line with historical and biblical interpretations and avoids celebrating Christmas in December because of its pagan origins.
They link Christmas to pagan Roman practices like the festival of Saturnalia, which paid homage to the sun god. In order to restore what he believed to be true Christian practices, Urhobo founded GKS.
5. Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM)
Christmas is not observed by Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), which is run by Dr. Daniel Olukoya, because it has pagan roots and no biblical basis.
In 2019, Dr. Olukoya publicly stated that the church does not celebrate Christmas, citing the Roman Saturnalia festival and pagan traditions as the reasons.
MFM prioritizes holiness and biblical purity over cultural celebrations by holding the “Power Must Change Hands” ceremony in place of Christmas to usher in the New Year with an emphasis on deliverance, prayer, and spiritual combat.
Source: The Nation
