Friday, January 2, 2009

Remembering Christ

The "holiday season" is now over, and I always breathe a sigh of relief when it is! At Christmas time, traffic is horrible in town, the stores are overcrowded (as are the parking lots), people are pushy, children are greedy, and the parties are raucous. Well, not for Christians. Their parties aren't quite as raucous. We just try to stock up on groceries and hunker down at home until the two weeks have passed, only venturing out for ministry-related stuff.

All the busy-ness of the season has got me thinking: Is this really what Jesus would have people do? Did he ever ask his disciples to remember his birth? Did his disciples even know his birthdate? I doubt it, and if it were important to remember it, I believe it would have been recorded in Scripture for us.

The circumstances under which Christ was born were humble. The loud crowds were in the inns, and there had been no room for him there. Instead, he was born in a smelly stable among the animals. Glorious angels announced the birth...to whom? Humble shepherds.

What was Mary's response to the wonder of all that had happened? She "kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." I think Mary had the right idea about the whole thing.

I think what Christ would have believers do is just ponder the wonder of his miraculous birth, and thank God for sending a Saviour! The only thing he tells us to remember is his death, which we do every time we observe the Lord's Supper.

"This do ye...in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come." I Cor 11:25,26

3 comments:

Tori Leslie said...

Great thoughts Tammy. Very interesting and probably very true.

Hope you, Daniel and all the little J-s have a wonderful new year!

Tammy said...

I have wondered about the same things over the past couple of years. I do think it is important to remember it just because we couldn't have the cross without the cradle but also because we should reflect on His humbleness and servitude right from the beginning of His earthly existance. I still don't get why we all get gifts when it is His birth we are supposed to be celebrating. Our family has for 11 years now made a point to buy something for the church as a gift to Jesus. I'm wondering if our family will eventually move to not giving presents to each other and finding other ways to celebrate. My kids receive less each year and if they are disappointed they haven't said anything.

Bro. Daniel said...

We have taken to ...if we give a gift to someone we give something at Thanksgiving, giving thanks to the Lord for the friends in the Lord that we have.

We have changed the 25 of December into Tammy's mom's birthday. Trying to celebrate our Lord's birth, life, death, and Ressurection! and Coming again - Soon. This we do DAILY! Trying to not let people go on in this life lost without showing them THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE!

Thank you Lord Jesus, help us do so today. In your name and power. Amen