Adventist Churches

Christmas and Easter celebrations have become increasingly common in Adventist churches. Observance of the Christian year remains rare, but a few congregations are discovering that it is a rewarding source of balance and biblical spirituality in worship. Historically, the Seventh-day Adventist church has paid no attention to the Christian year. In fact, during the formative years of the church in the mid-nineteenth century, even Christmas and Easter were suspect due to the lack of specific biblical introduction for these celebrations and their association with pagan holidays. In recent years, however, Adventists have come to celebrate both Christmas and Easter with regularity, recognizing that these two primary events of the Christian faith can be celebrated meaningfully in common with all Christians. Christmas and Easter Sabbaths Most Seventh-day Adventist churches have a special worship service on the Sabbath (Saturday) closest to Christmas. It may include a pageant and specia…