“Keep doing this in remembrance of me.”—LUKE 22:19.
A
reason why some celebrate Christmas.
Regarding Christmas, some say that Jesus is
“the reason for the season.” They celebrate Christmas to commemorate his
birthday.
Why
is it a challenge?
Popular Christmas music and many Christmas
customs have little to do with Jesus Christ. Millions who celebrate the holiday
do not put faith in him; some do not even believe that he existed. In the
commercial world, Christmas has become a holiday to advertise goods rather than
an occasion to remember Jesus.
What
Bible principles can help?
“The Son of man came . . . to give his soul a
ransom in exchange for many.” (Mark 10:45) Jesus spoke the words quoted at the beginning of
this article, obviously not on his birthday, but on the night before he died.
On that evening, he instituted a simple ceremony to memorialize his death. Yet,
why would Jesus want his followers to remember his death rather than his birth?
Because Jesus’ ransom sacrifice gives obedient humans the opportunity to
receive everlasting life. “The wages sin pays is death,” says the Bible, “but
the gift God gives is everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
Thus, each year, on the anniversary of his death, Jesus’ followers remember
Jesus Christ, not as a helpless infant, but as “the savior of the world.”—John 4:42.
“Christ suffered for you, leaving you a model
for you to follow his steps closely.” (1 Peter 2:21) To honor and remember Jesus, you should study
his example as a perfect, intelligent man. Also, meditate on the way Jesus
displayed compassion, patience, and the courage to do what is right, and look
for opportunities to imitate him in your own life.
“The kingdom of the world did become the
kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will rule as king forever and
ever.” (Revelation 11:15) When you remember Jesus Christ, consider
what he is doing now. Jesus is ruling as a heavenly King. God’s Word prophesied
regarding Jesus: “With righteousness he must judge the lowly ones, and with
uprightness he must give reproof in behalf of the meek ones of the earth.” (Isaiah 11:4)
Those appealing qualities belong, not to a newborn baby, but to a mighty Ruler.
WATCHTOWER magazine at www.jw.org
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