As one of my web friend said, and I quote:
It is about the Lord Jesus Christ’s birth
celebration commonly known as ‘Christmas’
The blog writer questions the
celebrations with biblical evidences.
Christ never asked His followers
to celebrate His Birth, instead He asked or
commanded His followers to
celebrate His death.
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| Pic. Credit raichinger sxc.hu |
On
December 25th people the world over will celebrate the birth of Lord
Jesus Christ. This central event in history divided the calendar into B C
(Before Christ) and A.D. (Anno Domini – “In the Year of Our Lord”). He
was born to die. The meaning of His name is “He will save His people
from their sins” (in Hebrew- “Jesus” means “Savior” Matthew 1:21). The
prophets foretold His birth years before it took place. Isaiah the
Prophet predicted it in 740 B.C. (Isaiah 9:6, and 7:14). Prophet Micah
also predicted the same event in 742 B.C. (Micah 5:2). Christ’s
sufferings too were described beforehand by Isaiah (Isaiah Chapter
52:13- 53:12). The very purpose of Christ’s coming to earth is to die
for the sins of mankind.
The
recent movement to replace the word ”Christmas” by other names in
America and Britain is an interesting development. In America the
conservative argue that Christmas has become almost a dirty word in a
politically correct society. The recent report says that a similar
situation is arising in Britain too.
In
this connection let us look at the reality. What exactly does the Bible
say about such celebrations? The Bible has not given any importance to
the birthday celebrations. The great Prophets of the Bible Job and
Jeremiah have cursed it (Job 3:1-11, and Jeremiah 20: 14-15). In the
whole Bible only two birth celebrations are mentioned, one in the Old
Testament, that is of the Pharaoh, a heathen King and another one in the
New Testament that is, Herod the cruel and ungodly King. On both these
occasions some tragic events took place. On Pharaoh”s birthday, he
hanged his chief baker (Genesis 40: 20-22) and on Herod”s birthday he
beheaded a godly and innocent person ”John the Baptist”, the forerunner
of Jesus Christ. (Mark 6:21-28). Giving too much importance to that
particular day is not good, because God had made all days equal and
wants people to worship Him in the same tempo and manner on all the
other days of the year as well.
Many
celebrate Christmas without Christ in their heart. Unless Christ is
born in the heart, no one can meaningfully celebrate Christmas and
really experience the full joy of the occasion. Can Christmas be a
celebration without Christ? With Christ dwelling inside, one can
celebrate Christmas not only on 25th December but every day of his life.
At
Christmas we tend to give much importance and priority to getting new
clothes, decorating our houses, singing carols, preparing delicacies and
savories. Often the main person, who is the cause of the celebration,
is forgotten and out of the picture. We have no time or rather do not
take pains to think about Him, His great teachings and His great
sacrifice. Rather we take this opportunity to amuse ourselves and
entertain our friends and relatives many times in an unholy way, which
brings dishonor to His name as well as to our faith. Instead, let us
celebrate this awesome occasion in a worthy manner as the shepherds who
glorified God (Luke 2:20) when they received the news.
Jesus
never asked His followers to remember His Birth; instead he commanded
his followers to remember His Death. This is very clearly mentioned in
the book of Luke, “..And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and
gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you; do
this in remembrance of me. Likewise He also took the cup after supper,
saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you
(Luke 22: 19 -20).” This institution is called ”The Lord’s Supper”, He
has asked the believers to carry out this till His second coming.
Christians cannot neglect this institution, because it is His
commandment. Christians are looking forward to the Lord’s glorious
appearing the second time. Instead of wasting time, money and energy on
merry-making and celebrations, why not take the opportunity to tell
others about His first coming. Let us make known the teaching of the
Lord to many who do not yet know Him even after 2000 years of His
coming.
A
survey says the greatest number of accidents take place on the eve of
Christmas. What does it show? People go about the day in an unworthy
manner, and that leads to a number of accidents.
The
time is very short. The Bible says, “The end of all things is at hand”
therefore be serious and watchful in prayer (I Pet. 4:7). Recent world
events are vivid signs of His imminent return. Before His coming, let us
strive together and faithfully go about the Lord’s great commission,
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching
them to obey every thing I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20. This
is the great and last commission Christ has given to His followers to
follow.
May the Lord help us to fulfill this task which our Lord entrusted to us.
Let us celebrate His Death by obeying His commandments!!
May God help us.
Source:
First Published in Confident Living Magazine, Secunderabad, A Back to the Bible India Publication
Harvest Time Magazine, Mumbai
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| John 3:16 Credit: sxc.hu |
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