What is an appropriate card to give a six year old Jehovah's Witness instead of a Xmas card ?

Question

There is a little girl in my son's class who is a Jehovah's Witness. He will be giving all the other kids a Xmas card and I don't want to either offend her by giving her one, against her beliefs, or to leave her out. She doesn't celebrate New Year either so I could really do with some advice ! Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

The questioner is to be commended for her sensitivity and kindness, as well as her sense of religious tolerance.

Thank you.

Sometimes a non-Witness (who knows that Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate Christmas) will purposefully give him a "Seasons Greetings" card. Sadly, the undeniable implication is that the "season" is the "holiday season", rather than the Northern Hemisphere's winter season. In fact many such cards include a pantheon of Judeo-Christian religious imagery.

It seems unlikely that a Jehovah's Witness would become offended by the sincere intentions of someone who seems to be especially respectful of Witness sensibilities. Still, a card which is devoid of religious references or holiday references and which merely remarks upon friendship or winter would be best for a child of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/20041215/article_02.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/19981215/article_02.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20001215/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/rq/index.htm?article=article_11.htm

Answer 2

Dear Questioner:

We appreciate it very much when teachers kindly excuse our children from participation in all activities that in any way commemorate these holidays.

As many encyclopedias clearly state, Jesus’ birthday was arbitrarily set as December 25 to coincide with a Roman pagan festival. Note the following declarations taken from different reference works:

“The date of Christ’s birth is not known. The Gospels indicate neither the day nor the month.”—'New Catholic Encyclopedia', Volume III, page 656.

“Most of the Christmas customs now prevailing in Europe, or recorded from former times, are not genuine Christian customs, but heathen customs which have been absorbed or tolerated by the Church. . . . The Saturnalia in Rome provided the model for most of the merry customs of the Christmas time.”—Encyclopædia of Religion and Ethics (Edinburgh, 1910), edited by James Hastings, Volume III, pages 608-9.

“Christmas has been celebrated on December 25 in all Christian churches since the fourth century. At that time, this was the date of the pagan winter-solstice festival called the ‘Birth (Latin, natale) of the Sun,’ since the sun appeared to be reborn as the days once again became longer. In Rome, the Church adopted this extremely popular custom . . . by giving it a new meaning.”—Encyclopædia Universalis, 1968, (French) Volume 19, page 1375.

“The development of the Christmas festival was influenced by the contrast with the pagan celebrations of the Sol Invictus (Mithra). On the other hand, December 25, being the day of the winter solstice, was identified with the light that broke forth into the world through Christ, and the symbolism of the Sol Invictus was thus transferred to Christ.”—Brockhaus Enzyklopädie, (German) Volume 20, page 125.

The 'Encyclopædia Britannica' observes: “In 1644 the English puritans forbad any merriment or religious services by act of Parliament, on the ground that it [Christmas] was a heathen festival, and ordered it to be kept as a fast. Charles II revived the feast, but the Scots adhered to the Puritan view.” The early Christians did not celebrate Christmas, nor do Jehovah’s Witnesses celebrate it today or take part in activities that are associated with Christmas.

The Bible, however, speaks favorably of giving gifts or inviting family and friends for a joyful meal on other occasions. It encourages parents to train their children to be sincerely generous, instead of giving gifts simply when socially expected to do so. (Matthew 6:2, 3.) Children of Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught to be tolerant and respectful, and this includes recognizing the right of others to celebrate Christmas. In turn, they appreciate it when their decision not to participate in Christmas celebrations is respected. The fact that Jehovah’s Witnesses do not participate in most holiday observances and other celebrations can be somewhat perplexing to a teacher.

Perhaps it would be better to give an expression of commendation or appreciation to the children.

If you would like further information & learn more - please get in touch with Jehovah's Witnesses at the local Kingdom Hall. Or visit

Answer 3

My entire school life, I was and still am a JW. Please don't worry about it. Her parents have already gone over with her about those celebrations and why we do not participate. She probably knows as much about the Bible as you do.

My parents as do all others I know of, supplied kids with many gifts all throughout the year. I never missed out or left out. Usually if a holiday party was the only thing going on that day, they would let me stay home.

To give you an idea how long ago that was, my mother paid for a party for my class for my learning the 50 states and capitals. I only remember the CocaColas but not the treats.

Answer 4

I am a jehovah witness parent, and what I do with gift my children recieve depends on the gift's value, I'm known to throw it in the trash or return it to the giver.(basically your money's worth would be trown away like trash, I wouldn't even bother). I wouldn't even bother to open it unless i need to know who it is it needs to be returned too.You might also want to consider the division you'd be placing on the family if the minor child was not in agreement with their parents beliefs, rules etc... if the reciever is an adult as a parent I'd counsel my adult child but the choice to accept the gift would be theirs to make...Hope this helps!

I wouldn't worry about the child feeling left out! I for one don't take my children to school on those days when teachers will be allowing time for such activities. My husband and I always reward, entertain our children. On a weekly basis with plenty of friends with their same spiritual beliefs so that they will never feel left out.

Answer 5

You're so sweet and considerate.
As a JW parent this is a very hard topic. Please encourage your son not to give the little girl anything because the child of the JW usually feels worse: do they accept it to spare their classmates feelings or do they reject it because of their parents/their own beliefs?
The child of the JW will not feel left out and their feelings wont be hurt.

What grade are they in?

Answer 6

Wow, thanks for being sensitive. When I was in school I just prefered to be left out of the celebrations I didn't agree with. You could try asking her parents how they feel.

If your son really wants to give her a card, go ahead, but make it clear it is then her choice whether to accept it or not.

Answer 7

Season's Greetings?
Maybe with a Snowman?

Answer 8

None at all.