SOMETHING BETTER THAN XMAS!
As season approaches, songs, films, and TV programs promote
a jolly and exciting holiday mood—the
Christmas spirit. What do you think should be the most important element of
that spirit? Would it be
* Remembering
Jesus Christ?
* Sharing in the
joy of giving?
* Helping the
needy?
Many who celebrate Christmas find it difficult to achieve
any of those goals during the holiday season. Christmastime often tends to be
hectic, stressful and, above all, commercial. Is cultivating the Christmas
spirit—or at least what it is supposed to be—a lost cause?
The Bible does encourage all of us to remember Jesus Christ,
to be liberal in giving, to help the needy, and to spend time with our
families. It also teaches us how to be peaceable. Therefore, rather than
discuss why some do not celebrate Christmas, * this series of articles will
consider the following questions:
* What do some
feel should be the reason for celebrating Christmas?
* Why is it a
challenge to achieve what they hope for in Christmas?
* What Bible
principles have helped millions to find something better than Christmas?
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.
Source: jw.org
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