Lesson 44

Jehovah wants us to enjoy life and even to celebrate at times. But do all celebrations and holidays please him? How can we show our love for Jehovah in this matter?

You might be surprised to learn that many celebrations are based on unscriptural teachings or have pagan origins. Such celebrations may be connected with false religion. They may be linked to spiritism or be based on the idea that the soul is immortal. Some celebrations are rooted in superstition or a belief in luck. (Isaiah 65:11)

Jehovah warns his worshippers: “Separate yourselves... and quit touching the unclean thing.” — 2 Corinthians 6:17. Footnote 1

Jehovah cautions us not to fall into the trap of putting our “trust in mere humans.”

Read Jeremiah 17.5: This is what Jehovah says: “Cursed is the man who puts his trust in mere humans, Who relies on human power, And whose heart turns away from Jehovah.

Some holidays honor rulers or soldiers. Others celebrate national symbols or independence. (1 John 5:21)

Still others promote political or social movements. How would Jehovah feel if we gave undue honor to a person or an organization, especially one that promoted ideas contrary to His purpose?

The Bible condemns “overdrinking, wild parties, [and] drinking bouts.” (1 Peter 4:3)

Some celebrations feature unrestrained and immoral behavior. To remain Jehovah’s friends, we need to stay far away from such moral uncleanness.

Find out how you can please Jehovah by making wise decisions about holidays and celebrations.

Read Ephesians 5.10: Keep on making sure of what is acceptable to the Lord;

Discuss these questions:

What do we need to make sure of when deciding whether to celebrate a holiday?

What holidays are popular where you live?

Do you think those holidays please Jehovah?

For example, have you ever wondered what God thinks of birthday celebrations? The Bible never refers to a worshipper of Jehovah celebrating a birthday, but it does record two birthdays celebrated by people who did not serve Him.

Read Genesis 40.20-22: Now the third day was Pharaoh’s birthday, and he made a feast for all his servants, and he brought out both the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the presence of his servants. And he returned the chief cupbearer to his post of cupbearer, and he continued to hand the cup to Pharaoh. But he hanged the chief baker, just as Joseph had interpreted to them.

Read Matthew 14.6-10: But when Herod’s birthday was being celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced for the occasion and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Then she, at her mother’s prompting, said: “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” Grieved though he was, the king, out of regard for his oaths and for those dining with him, commanded it to be given. So he sent and had John beheaded in the prison.

Then discuss these questions:

What do both birthday celebrations have in common?

Based on these Bible accounts, how do you think Jehovah feels about birthdays?

Still, you may wonder, ‘Does Jehovah really care whether I participate in a birthday or other unscriptural celebration?’

Read Exodus 32.1-8: Meanwhile, the people saw that Moses was taking a long time coming down from the mountain. So the people gathered around Aaron and said to him: “Get up, make for us a god who will go ahead of us, because we do not know what has happened to this Moses, the man who led us up out of the land of Egypt.” At this Aaron said to them: “Take the gold earrings from the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters and bring them to me.” So all the people began taking off the gold earrings that were in their ears and bringing them to Aaron. Then he took the gold from them, and he formed it with an engraving tool and made it into a statue of a calf. They began to say: “This is your God, O Israel, who led you up out of the land of Egypt.” When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it. Then Aaron called out: “There is a festival to Jehovah tomorrow.” So they got up early on the next day and began offering up burnt offerings and presenting communion sacrifices. After that the people sat down to eat and drink. Then they got up to have a good time. Jehovah now said to Moses: “Go, descend, because your people, whom you led up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. They have quickly deviated from the way I commanded them to go. They have made for themselves a statue of a calf, and they keep bowing down to it and sacrificing to it and saying, ‘This is your God, O Israel, who led you up out of the land of Egypt.’”

Then, play the VIDEO and discuss the questions that follow.

Why do we need to make sure of what is acceptable to Jehovah?

How can we do so?

Is it based on unscriptural teachings? To find out, investigate its origins.

Does it give undue honor to humans, organizations, or national symbols? We honor Jehovah above all and trust in him to solve the world’s problems.

Do its customs and practices conflict with Bible standards? We need to remain morally clean.

It can be hard to resist when others pressure you to participate in celebrations that displease Jehovah. Explain your decisions patiently and tactfully. To see an example of how to do this, play the VIDEO.

Read Matthew 7.12: “All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you also must do to them. This, in fact, is what the Law and the Prophets mean.

Discuss these questions:

Based on this verse, should you tell your unbelieving family members that they cannot celebrate a holiday?

What might you do to reassure your family that even though you will not celebrate with them, you love and appreciate them?

Jehovah wants us to enjoy good times with our family and friends.

Read Ecclesiastes 8.15: So I recommended rejoicing, because there is nothing better for man under the sun than to eat and drink and rejoice; this should accompany him as he works hard during the days of his life, which the true God gives him under the sun.

Discuss this question:

How does this verse show that Jehovah wants us to be happy?

Jehovah wants his people to have fun and enjoy good times together. Play the VIDEO to see how this has been very evident at our international conventions.

Read Galatians 6.10: So, then, as long as we have the opportunity, let us work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to us in the faith.

Discuss these questions:

Do we need to celebrate popular holidays to do “what is good” to others?

What kind of giving would make you happier—feeling obligated to give on a holiday or giving spontaneously?

Many Witnesses occasionally organize something special for their children and even surprise them with gifts. If you have children, what are some special things that you could do for them?

What would you say?

Jehovah wants us to enjoy time with family and friends. But he also wants us to avoid celebrations that displease him.

What questions can we ask to determine whether a celebration displeases Jehovah?

How can we help our family and friends to understand our decisions regarding holidays?

How do you know that Jehovah wants us to be happy and to have fun?

Lesson completed on:

Use what you learned in this lesson to evaluate the holidays that are popular in your area.

Other: Memorizing Bible scriptures is vital for blind individuals to defend the truth using the Bible, build faith, provide comfort during difficult times, and keep God’s principles firm in heart and mind.

From lesson 44, memorize 2 Corinthians 6:17: “‘Therefore, get out from among them, and separate yourselves,’ says Jehovah, ‘and quit touching the unclean thing’”; “‘and I will take you in.’”

1. Consider some specific holidays that Christians do not celebrate.

“Why Don’t Jehovah’s Witnesses Celebrate Certain Holidays?” (Web article) Open explore 1 in new page

2. See four reasons why we believe that birthday celebrations displease God.

“Why Don’t Jehovah’s Witnesses Celebrate Birthdays?” (Web article) Open explore 2 in new page

3. See how young children who love Jehovah can please him during the holidays.

You Are Precious to Jehovah (11:35) Open explore 3 in new page

4. Millions of Christians have chosen not to celebrate Christmas. How do they feel about their decision?

“They Found Something Better” (The Watchtower, December 1, 2012) Open explore 4 in new page