A Celebration of Light and Unity

As millions of Christians around the world celebrate Christmas, the Bahá’í Faith approaches this occasion with respect, spiritual depth, and a spirit of universal openness.

From the Bahá’í perspective, Christmas commemorates far more than a historical event: it symbolizes the advent of a spiritual light destined to guide humanity. Jesus Christ is recognized as a Manifestation of God—a divine Educator sent to uplift human consciousness and renew the moral life of His age. In this sense, His mission is regarded as fully authentic and essential to the spiritual history of humankind.

The Bahá’í Faith teaches that God has spoken to humanity through a succession of great spiritual Figures—among them Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Zoroaster, Krishna, Jesus, Muḥammad, and, most recently, Bahá’u’lláh. This vision, known as progressive revelation, highlights the fundamental unity of religions and the continuity of their message: love of God, justice, compassion, and peace.

Although Christmas is not an official holy day in the Bahá’í calendar, Bahá’ís are free to take part in its celebration. Many do so gladly, seeing it as a meaningful opportunity to share moments of fellowship with family, friends, and Christian communities. Rather than emphasizing ritual or outward form, the focus rests on the spirit of Christmas itself: self-giving, generosity, service to others, and the drawing together of hearts.

In a world marked by division and conflict, Christmas thus appears, for Bahá’ís, as a powerful reminder of humanity’s spiritual calling. Honouring the birth of Christ also means reaffirming universal values that transcend religious and cultural boundaries—values the Bahá’í Faith regards as essential to the building of lasting peace.

In this light, Christmas becomes not only a respected Christian feast, but also a shared source of inspiration, inviting all people to recognize—beyond their differences—the oneness of the human family and the common divine source of its great spiritual traditions.