The Puritans’ rejection of Christmas as a celebration within the Church was deeply rooted in their commitment to the regulative principle of worship. This principle, which remains foundational for many Reformed Christians, asserts that only those elements of worship explicitly commanded in Scripture are permissible in the corporate gathering of God’s people.
Christmas, as a man-made holiday with no biblical command for its observance, was seen by the Puritans as an unwarranted addition to the worship of God. Their stance was not merely reactionary but a theological conviction born out of a desire to honor God’s authority in how He is to be worshiped.
The Biblical and Theological Basis
The Regulative Principle of Worship
The regulative principle is derived from passages like Leviticus 10:1–3, where Nadab and Abihu are judged for offering unauthorized fire before the Lord. God declares, “By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy.” Similarly, Deuteronomy 12:32 warns against adding to or taking away from God’s commands regarding worship.
The Puritans applied this principle rigorously. Since there is no command in Scripture to celebrate Christ’s birth on a specific day, and no evidence that the early Church observed such a feast, they concluded that the celebration of Christmas was a human innovation.
Focus on the Lord’s Day
The Puritans emphasized the weekly observance of the Lord’s Day (Sunday) as the divinely instituted time for worship. They believed that every Lord’s Day was an opportunity to commemorate the entire redemptive work of Christ, including His incarnation, death, and resurrection. Adding a special day for Christ’s birth was viewed as unnecessary and potentially detracting from the sanctity of the weekly Sabbath.
Avoidance of Syncretism
The Puritans were particularly sensitive to the historical association of Christmas with pagan festivals such as Saturnalia and the Roman feast of Dies Natalis Solis Invicti. They argued that incorporating elements of these traditions into Christian worship risked corrupting the purity of the Church. For example, William Prynne, a Puritan author, condemned Christmas celebrations as a “Popish innovation” and a relic of Rome’s corruptions.
Practical Concerns: The Abuse of Christmas
In addition to their theological objections, the Puritans were concerned about the cultural practices associated with Christmas. In 17th-century England, Christmas celebrations often included drunkenness, revelry, and other excesses that were inconsistent with Christian conduct. The Puritans believed that such behavior profaned what should be a time of holy worship.
As a result, during the English Civil War, the Puritan-led Parliament banned Christmas celebrations in 1647. Churches were instructed to remain closed on December 25, and businesses were expected to operate as usual. This ban reflected their desire to reform society according to biblical principles.
The Puritan Legacy
The Puritan stance on Christmas challenges Christians to consider the biblical basis for their practices and the purity of their worship. While most of Christendom has embraced the celebration of Christmas, the Puritans remind us that true worship must be guided by Scripture alone. They sought to guard the Church against the encroachment of human traditions, however well-intentioned, that might obscure the centrality of Christ and His Word.
A Christ-Centered Alternative
Rather than setting aside a specific day like Christmas, the Puritans encouraged believers to meditate on the truths of Christ’s incarnation throughout the year, especially during corporate worship on the Lord’s Day. The incarnation was seen not as an isolated event but as part of the glorious work of redemption, which should continually fill the hearts of God’s people with gratitude and awe.
Conclusion
The Puritans’ rejection of Christmas was not a rejection of Christ’s incarnation but a desire to uphold the sufficiency and authority of Scripture in worship. Their example serves as a call to reexamine traditions in light of God’s Word and to ensure that our worship glorifies Him alone. For those who hold to the Puritan view today, this stance remains a principled reminder that Christ’s glory is best magnified when His Word governs every aspect of our worship.
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