In the Christian world, we are reminded at this time of year to REMEMBER the birth of Christ. We are reminded via radio or television programming, or even by greeting cards, that Jesus is the reason for the season. We are presented with stories and songs and dramas detailing the birth of the Child. And it is a wonderful story and reality, that the prophesied birth happened as it was told. It's my favorite season, and it's my favorite subject for poems. I'd play Christmas carols all year long if it wouldn't drive my household crazy!
We are challenged to "keep Christ in Christmas". We are reminded that the gifts and such are not what the holiday is all about, exhorted to not lose sight in the middle of the busy-ness. Much of what we engage in is explained as a time of remembering the birth of Christ.
The interesting thing, though, for me was a moment of observation the other day. As I thought about the fact that we celebrate the birth of Christ, I thought about the reality that He never instructed us to do so. It is certainly a people-driven holiday, and the world has gotten its grip on it through materialism and distraction. But the specific remembrance of Christ that was directed was:
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." Luke 22:19
For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on
the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks,
He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in
remembrance of Me." In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying,
"This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance
of Me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death
till He comes. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
We are given a celebration of remembrance, but specifically, remembrance of His death, not His birth. We are told that through this, we proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. Interesting, because communion is relegated, in most churches I've attended, to once a month. It's a short portion of the service, sometimes at the start, sometimes at the end. There may be a communion service Christmas Eve or Easter Sunday. Family Christmas services, at least in my experience, don't include communion. Maybe communion gets a serious emphasis in the other services. However, as a mom of toddlers, I haven't been in one of those services for years! In the family version, lots of Christmas carols, perhaps skits and stories. No communion. I've heard Christmas messages that remind us that Christmas is meaningless without the cross, without Jesus' death and resurrection. But not in the family services, not really.
I'm just observing. Not complaining. Just thinking! Noticing that we're very conditioned to accept and explain and hold on to some traditions and celebrations, while allowing others to become ritual and minor. Based on what my Bible emphasizes, the celebration of the Lord's Supper is given much more priority than Christmas. Only two gospels of the four include the birth of Christ, and John simply states that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us(John 1:14). Of course, not much time or space is given to the Lord's supper, either. However, it is the manner we are specifically directed to remember. Not by giving gifts. Not by decorating trees and houses and driveways. Not by putting on plays. Not by singing songs. But, by taking of the bread and of the cup. This season, that should be more than a passing and short ritual. And our children shouldn't be excluded. If we're going to remember Him, we should do as He directed! Maybe His emphasis was to do THIS in remembrance, not all the other stuff that we've come up with since. Like I said, I'm not trying to put a damper on things, just pondering!
Blessings from the "ranch"!
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December 20, 2007 - You're right
Kristy