Articles
The Reason Beyond Any Season
Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, the jingle bells and carols are in full swing. It’d be no surprise if you saw a church sign or a neighbor’s yard sign read something to the effect of “Jesus is the reason for the season.” While I understand the sentiment, I think we’re being a bit misled.
First of all, there’s nowhere in the Bible that indicates exactly when Jesus’ birthday was – not December 25thor any other date. An uninspired person picked that date. Some point to Luke 2:8 and say Jesus wasn’t born during the winter because the shepherds were tending to their sheep in the fields through the night. Some say that doesn’t mean anything. Regardless, there’s no way to pinpoint an exact date and maybe that’s for a reason.
Just as the Bible never indicates a specific day for Christ’s birth, it also doesn’t include any command or example of Christ’s birthday being observed as a holiday. The first Christians found in the Bible (Acts 2 and after) were never found holding separate Christmas services. If we don’t see it in the Bible (God’s inspired word), we need to ask why we would do it for religious purposes now.
On the other hand, there is aweekly observance the Bible clearlyindicates is necessary (including examples) and should be practiced by every Christian: the Lord’s Supper. Jesus instituted it Himself as we can read in Matthew 26:26–28, “Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
Long after Jesus had ascended back to heaven, the apostle Paul spoke further about the observance of the Lord’s Supper in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 and its importance to the Christian. We read in Acts 20:7 that the Christians were gathered together on “the first day of the week” to “break bread” (another term for the Lord’s Supper). Did you notice that? The only indicator of time was the day of the week, not a specific date or season. So the question is do we follow this Bible-based observance the way many observe the holiday of Christmas? Do we partake of the Lord’s Supper every week?
Now before you call me Scrooge, please let me be clear: I am incredibly thankful for the birth of Jesus. Without the birth of Christ, we would have no hope of heaven because He wouldn’t have taught His lessons, performed miracles, or gone to the cross! Simply stated, Christ had to be born in order to fulfill His divine purpose!
So, by all means, exchange gifts and be merry and bright – my family will. However, the reason for our joy isn’t just for the birth of Christ. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection give reason for hope and joy beyond any season. This Sunday and every one after I invite you to join our congregation and Biblically observe the reason for our joy as we’ll partake of the Lord’s Supper…just like Jesussaid.
