Do Mormons Celebrate Christmas?

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When celebrating Christmas, some Christians can get in a bubble about different traditions and ways to observe the holiday. We have our own background with family and denominational traditions. For instance, I didn’t know much about Advent until my marriage and when we got involved in a church that included it in teaching. Today we light Advent candles with our kids every year and give them calendars with chocolate. Without exposure or research, we remain ignorant of other heritages. 

For many evangelical Christians, the Mormon customs remain something of a mystery. Christmas dominates secular and religious culture. But do Mormons celebrate it? And if so, do they have different practices?

How Does Mormonism Contrast with Biblical Christianity? 

In looking at how and if Mormons celebrate Christmas, delineating the differences between orthodox, biblical Christianity, and Mormonism may help us. 

We find a major contrast in the nature of God. Biblical Christianity teaches a doctrine of the Trinity, God existing as one in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19, John 10:30). Mormonism, however, rejects the Trinity and sees the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as separate beings united in purpose but not in essence. Mormon doctrine also teaches that God was once a human who progressed to the divine and suggests that humans can do the same, attain godhead through obedience and growth. This conflicts with the Bible like in Isaiah 43:10: “Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.” 

The authority of Scripture also marks a difference. Biblical Christianity affirms the Bible as the sole, inspired written Word of God for teaching, rebuke, and guidance (2 Timothy 3:16). Mormonism, while it respects the Bible, considers it corrupted over time and incomplete without their books, including the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price. Mormons also believe in continuing revelation through modern prophets as equal to scripture, different from orthodox Christian teaching that God’s Scriptures are complete. 

Salvation is another area. The Bible teaches salvation comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, apart from works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Jesus’ death and resurrection are the only way for humanity to be reconciled with God. Mormons believe differently, that people need a combination of grace and works for salvation. Mormons do teach Christ’s atonement but add that eternal life requires obedience to ordinances like baptism, rituals, and a moral life. To biblical Christians, this adds human effort to what Christ finished on the cross (John 19:30). 

While both Christianity and Mormonism teach the centrality of Christ, the doctrines differ. In the Bible, Jesus is the eternal Son, divine and coequal with the Father, and he became fully human to redeem people (John 1, Colossians 1:15-20). Mormonism teaches Jesus is a literal spirit child of the Heavenly Father and a separate being. Mormon also identifies Jesus as the older brother of Lucifer, an idea not found in Scripture and conflicting with Christ being the only begotten Son of God. 

How Did Mormonism Develop? 

Mormonism has connections with Christianity but also developed different beliefs. In 19th-century America, Joseph Smith Jr. lived as a farmer in upstate New York. He claimed to have experienced visions beginning in 1820, where he saw God the Father and Jesus Christ. In his “First Vision,” as Mormons call it today, God told Smith not to join any churches since they had all gone astray, declaring that no denomination of the time represented Jesus’ doctrine. 

In 1823, Smith further claimed an angel named Moroni visited him, and this being directed him to a set of golden plates on a hillside. Smith described these plates as having “Reformed Egyptian” writing upon them and said they spoke of ancient native Americans and their interactions with Jesus. Smith translated these plates into what became the Book of Mormon, which was first published in 1830. Along with the orthodox Bible, Smith’s book established a separate Mormon church. 

Despite differences, Mormonism remains connected to Christianity, particularly the teaching of Jesus Christ as the Savior and Son of God. The Book of Mormon has the subtitle, “Another Testament of Jesus Christ,” showing it as a further companion to the Bible. Mormonism also teaches Christian values like faith, repentance, baptism, and pursuing a holy life. 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), founded by Joseph Smith, became the organization of the Mormon religion. While the religion grew, it faced resistance due to unconventional beliefs and practices. These continued challenges led Mormons to move to Utah in the mid-1800s under Brigham Young’s leadership. In Utah, they sought religious freedom to establish the community they believed in. 

Today, Mormonism connects with Christianity through some doctrines but stands apart through different traditions and beliefs. This separation and connection continue to define the relationship between Mormonism and Christianity. 

How Do Mormons Celebrate Christmas? 

Mormons do celebrate the birth of Jesus, but their traditions blend general Christian customs with the values of the LDS Church. 

Like most Christians, Mormons have family gatherings, meals, decorations, and give gifts. They set up Christmas trees, hang stockings, and sing carols and even secular Christmas songs. Mormons display nativity scenes in homes and churches. Their church services during Christmas include readings from the Bible and hymns of worship. Like Christians, Mormons read accounts of Jesus’ birth in Luke 2 and Matthew 1-2. 

Mormons place emphasis on the spiritual meaning of Christmas, keeping Jesus at the center of their celebrations. They focus on his role as Savior and Son of God. Mormons also add teachings from the Book of Mormon, especially parts about Jesus’ ministry and salvation. Many LDS congregations host Christmas parties or programs featuring spiritual messages and music.

Among other unique features, Mormons often perform acts of charity and kindness during the holidays, inspired by the teachings of Christ. These charity events could include food drives, donations, or volunteering at homeless shelters or soup kitchens. Mormons believe in living Christ’s teaching through action, especially during a season meant to celebrate him. The LDS Church sponsors initiatives like “Light the World,” a global mission to encourage people to perform daily acts of service through December. 

How Can Evangelicals Engage with Mormons about Christmas? 

While major differences exist, Christmas offers Christians a great opportunity to engage Mormons in healthy and constructive ways. 

Love stands at the heart of every interaction, so we should start by building sincere relationships based on mutual respect. Celebrate shared traditions like decorating, singing carols, and gathering for meals. These moments create an environment of friendship. When we begin with love and kindness, we build bridges for meaningful conversations. This means we avoid starting arguments based on differences. In friendship, we ask for stories and share our own. 

Prayer is the foundation of love and good works. We reveal compassion and care by bringing Mormon friends before the throne of God with intercession. Ask God to work in their hearts and open their eyes to the truth of the Gospel. This helps us approach every conversation with patience and humility, depending on the Holy Spirit to lead us. 

Invite Mormon friends to join in times that reflect on the biblical story of Christmas. Host a Christmas devotional gathering where you read the nativity story from Luke and Matthew. You can sing popular hymns and carols together, especially dealing with Jesus’ incarnation and redemption. Sharing these traditions give us a way to emphasize the biblical view of Jesus’ salvation while still engaging in a positive celebration. 

While Mormons and evangelical Christians both revere Jesus Christ, their understandings of His nature and mission differ significantly. Mormons view Jesus as a distinct being from God the Father and a spirit brother to all humans, including Lucifer. Evangelicals, however, affirm the biblical teaching of Jesus’ eternal divinity and equality with God the Father (John 1:1-14, Colossians 1:15-20). 

A great way to unite with Mormons includes community service opportunities. Both evangelicals and Mormons believe in Christ’s teachings about caring for the poor, so these events provide a chance for people of all faiths to do good and build relationship on common ground. Practicing acts of charity could entail helping people in need or organizing a community event. These experiences demonstrate God’s love and can transition to deeper discussions about Jesus’ act of love on the cross. 

When conversations allow, guide discussion to the biblical Jesus through declaring his unique role in the Trinity and divine nature. For example, you can use verses that point to Jesus’ eternal existence (John 8:58) and his mission as Savior. This isn’t meant for debate but to lovingly share your thoughts and invite Mormon friends to explore what the Bible says about Jesus. 

Share the message of grace by focusing on the meaning of Christ’s incarnation. Explain that Jesus’ perfect life, sacrifice on the cross, and resurrection gives us complete atonement for sin. Use passages like John 3:16 and Romans 6:23 to show the free gift of eternal life and human inability to accomplish it, especially through religious ordinances. During the joy of Christmas and celebrating Jesus, hearts may be open to the work of the Holy Spirit in these discussions to lead to the simplicity and beauty of the Gospel. 

Ultimately, don’t let disagreements prevent you from developing relationships with Mormon friends and neighbors. Leave the conversation open and continue the relationship. We can’t argue people into belief in Jesus. Trust the Holy Spirit to do his job and lovingly give revelation of Christ during Christmas. Love and stand for truth while respecting the choices and beliefs of others, including our Mormon friends. 

Peace. 

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Kisa_Markiza

Britt Mooney lives and tells great stories. As an author of fiction and non-fiction, he is passionate about teaching ministries and nonprofits the power of storytelling to inspire and spread truth. Mooney has a podcast called Kingdom Over Coffee and is a published author of We Were Reborn for This: The Jesus Model for Living Heaven on Earth as well as Say Yes: How God-Sized Dreams Take Flight.

This article originally appeared on Christianity.com. For more faith-building resources, visit Christianity.com.