In the bible, Jesus gave the command to his followers to celebrate the passover of his death annually, or yearly, in remembrance of him for the sacrifice he gave in behalf of all men. Why do people choose to put main focus on his birth rather than his death when Jesus, in the bible, makes it clear as to which of the two we should follow?
2006-10-14 06:09:22 · 19 answers · asked by ezlayedback 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Actually, He never said how often to celebrate His death. He merely stated, "This is my body that is for you. Keep doing this in memory of me." He did the same with the cup after the supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. As often as you drink from it, keep doing this in memory of me." (I Corinthians 11:24-25)
The reason that Christians began to celebrate Christ's birth on December 25th, was due to the pagan revelry that occurred during the feasts of Saturnalia and the Winter Solstice. These pagan holidays were quite a temptation for new believers in Christ, who had not learned to control their passions.
The bishops in Rome, especially, decided to give the Christians something else to do on that day, recalling the birth of Christ. Not that is was Christ's birthday, but to celebrate that He was born to save mankind. The held a Mass in honor of Christ's birth. (Hence the name Christ-mas.)
And just as Hanukkah is not a biblical feast, Jesus nevertheless celebrated it. "Now Hanukkah was taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking around in the temple inside the open porch of Solomon." (John 10:22-23) So we as Christians may celebrate a festive time such as Christ's birth, because our focus is on Christ.
I agree that Christ's death is so much more important than His birth. Christians are a people of the Resurrection, but we can celebrate the Incarnation as well.
2006-10-14 06:20:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Christians celebrate the passover every time they take communion, which they do many more times a year than they celebrate the birth of Christ. Celebrating Christmas was the early Christians' way of taking a pagan holiday that was ingrained in their culture and giving it a religious significance--most scholars agree that Jesus was probably actually born in the spring.
2006-10-14 06:14:15 · answer #2 · answered by happygirl 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In Christian culture, both his resurrection and birth have become important celebrations. (No, he wasn't born Sep. 29, nor was he probably born Dec 25, we don't know when he was born.) Christmas was first established in order to draw people away from pagan holidays by giving them a Christian one to celebrate and prepare for. Ressurection Sunday of course is a Scriptural holiday. Both are equally important, you can't have the death and ressurection without the birth first. The birth is celebrated because it was God giving us the greatest gift. The ressurection is the fruition of that gift, not to mention the great overtaking of death and victory over sin.
In today's culture in America, it is Christmas that gets the most attention because it is the biggest marketing time for businesses, but they are both very important to Christians. It isn't commanded to celebrate Christmas, but it's not said that we shouldn't either.
2006-10-14 06:29:28 · answer #3 · answered by GodsKnite 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We celebrate Christmas as a joyful time. The day chosen to celebrate Christ's birth. Easter is and has always been the most important Holy day in the Christian calender for the reasons you state.
2006-10-14 06:19:36 · answer #4 · answered by June smiles 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
that is very true, but also, if u think about it..... Jesus Christ is the Creator, our Father,above all else. Why wouldn't we want to celebrate the birthday of The Supreme Being? Even though it is tradition, it's a tradition for a good reason. Think about it, if u were Christ, wouldn't u want people to celebrate your birthday?
2006-10-14 06:14:40 · answer #5 · answered by luvschrist94 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
because his birth marked an amazing time for mankind, when suffering would end. But then again, when Jesus died, with all due respect for Jesus' suffering on the cross, it was a miraculous time where people would be brought up from hell and would be forgiven for their many sins.
2006-10-14 06:14:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the particular church that I go to we celebrate we take communion once a month (which is the celebration of Christ's death and resurrection)
2006-10-14 06:12:37 · answer #7 · answered by mel 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If He wasn't born, we wouldn't be celebrating anything. We don't know when He was really born of course, but we feel the need to commerate His birth because without it, we would be lost. Obviously, we also commerate His ultimate sacrifice, without which, again, we would be lost.
2006-10-14 06:16:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
you are right the death is far more important but reading what you wrote says to me we should onlty celebrate comunion once a year I know some coptic churches do that I do not think we need it every day as some catholics do but did he honestly say once I year I think he said to remember him when ever we eat and drink
2006-10-14 06:14:11 · answer #9 · answered by Sam's 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Some celebrate his death weekly contrary to your informants.
2006-10-14 06:12:46 · answer #10 · answered by Jay Z 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋