He wakes up on Dec. 25 to snow outside his window, no school for winter break. He walks downstairs towards the kitchen for breakfast, then sits in the living room and eats. Across the room, nothing is wrapped of decorated paper and bows, nothing smells of pine and sap, nothing hangs on the mantle of the chimney.
There are no half-eaten cookies on the table and no pies cooking in the oven either. Sound unusual? Not to junior Jordan Williams.

“Pretend you have a Jewish neighbor and see them celebrating Hanukkah,” mother Rachel Williams said. “Would you want to be a Jew just so you can celebrate Hanukkah?”

Just as Christians abide by their values and devotion towards God, such as His resurrection or the season of Lent, Jehovah’s Witnesses are just as parallel with their beliefs.

As a Jehovah’s Witness, Jordan and his family do not celebrate holidays. While fellow classmates
ask about his plans for Christmas, Jordan casually replies “no comment” or says nothing at all.

“I’ve been a Jehovah’s Witness my whole life,” Jordan said. “I’ve grown up this way. I know why I’m not celebrating [Christmas].

It’s not that I’m being forced to not celebrate holidays. Christmas will be just like another day off of school.”
Some ask, why would someone want to skip out on all the Christmas cheer? The basis of Jehovah’s Witnesses values rely on the Bible, and as Jehovah’s Witnesses believe, the Bible never clearly states the exact date of this celebration of Jesus’s birthday.

“If the Bible doesn’t say anything about [Jesus’s] birthday and really doesn’t encourage celebrating birthdays, then why should we?” Jordan said. “I’m not saying that I don’t like presents, though.”

As a branch of Christianity, in the sense that citizens abide by laws, do not believe in sex before
marriage, do not abuse drugs, etc., Jehovah’s Witnesses also are well-known for spending time preaching to others the teachings of their religion outside of their place of worship, called Kingdom Hall. Their religion’s name and beliefs originate from God, called ‘Jehovah.’

“It is our job as ‘witnesses’ of Jehovah to show people of Satan’s wrongdoings,” Rachel said.

Recently returning from Managua, Nicaragua from Aug. 6 until Nov. 11, older brother Caleb Williams has spent time with his religious group, like a missionary, while speaking publicly to natives. Helping groups of English-speaking natives learn more about the Bible, Caleb’s daily life consisted of early mornings, long bus rides, and often times, lots of walking.

“We called ourselves the Need-Greaters,” Caleb said. “By going to where there wasn’t a lot of support for learning the Bible, we went to where there was greater need.”

Caleb’s trip was collectively funded by the help of his parents, his recent graduation money, and his own earnings.

For the Williams family, the absence of presents under a tree and stockings hung above the fireplace are not unusual, and by no means disappointing. Jordan and Caleb both grew up with the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses, as did their parents. Even as children, Jordan and his family fully followed the Bible and abided by its readings, always believing in its lack of clear explanation of traditions such as Christmas.

“I understand and dedicate my life to God,” Jordan said. “There’s not really a time when I’m not fully believing in my religion as a Jehovah’s Witness.”

Even though the Williams family room floor will be bare of presents this Christmas morning, they do not fully disbelieve in gift giving. Sporadically throughout the year, they share gifts with one another.

“Every family is different,” Rachel said. “We, personally, celebrate mine and my husband’s anniversary with the kids as a family day. We have been taking swing dancing classes over at S.C.C.C. as a family. It’s our gift to one another.”

For Jordan, this time of year is more about that he knows and chooses not to take part in the present packaging and stocking stuffing for his own religious reasons.

“I live by the standards of God as a Jehovah’s Witness everyday of my life, 24-7,” Jordan said. “I don’t just go out, carelessly not thinking of my beliefs. It’s a way of life.”