It’s that time of the year! Countries all across the globe have enlightened in the festive spirit, with Christmas just a few hours away. Meanwhile, the sporting superstars are also enjoying the holiday season with their loved ones. However, when it comes to Serena Williams, the case is not the same. Over the years, we have seen the American legend not celebrate occasions like birthdays due to her religious commitments. But does she celebrate Christmas?

Soon after her retirement in 2022, Williams got baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness. Subsequently, she has often cited her religious faith as one of the factors behind her competitiveness as an athlete. Further, the followers of this religion don’t believe in celebrating birthdays “because we believe that such celebrations displease God.”

This is also the reason why Williams doesn’t celebrate Christmas. Although her daughters enjoy the holiday season, Williams, being a Jehovah’s Witness, doesn’t celebrate this festival. The followers of this religion don’t celebrate traditional Christian holidays that were passed down from the Roman church, with Christmas being one among them.

Similarly, Williams doesn’t also celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. A few years back, she explained why she didn’t celebrate her daughter’s birthday, saying, “Olympia doesn’t celebrate birthdays. We’re Jehovah’s Witnesses, so we don’t do that.” The religion’s official website also explains why such occasions aren’t celebrated, “Although the Bible does not explicitly forbid celebrating birthdays, it does help us to reason on key features of these events and understand God’s view of them.” 

Meanwhile, Williams has often spoken up about her faith in Jehovah’s Witness. During an interview, she revealed how her religion altered her life for the good.

Serena Williams makes a candid revelation

Williams’ mother, Oracene Price, introduced her to Jehovah’s Witness during their childhood. Subsequently, she converted to that religion and got baptized in January 2023. Time and again, Williams has revealed how her religion helped her in her life and career. In an interview a few years back, she opened up about the lessons she learned due to her religion.

Williams revealed, “I think it’s important also to take a moment and just look up at the sky and give grace, or look at a tree and say, I’m here, I’m alive today. And I’ve been doing that lately, and that has made me just appreciate just being around, and that makes my day even better.”

Further, she went on to add, “I tried to develop a better relationship with God. You have a strong, solid foundation; the Bible says you won’t crack, but the man who built his house in the sand went down spiritually. I have a really strong foundation. That’s how I was raised.”

It is interesting to see how Williams has adopted her religion and taught her family to follow the same path. Her faith continues to grow and with it, the positive outcomes as well.