Today's Holy-day Art (LORD'S EVENING MEAL) for Jehovah's Witnesses

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By Tahlib
Lord's Evening Meal, according to Jehovah's Witnesses, is the only celebration the Bible commands Christians to observe.

  • Significance: Commemorates Christ's death as a ransom or "propitiatory sacrifice" (1Co 11:20, KJ).
  • Observances: The Lord's Evening Meal (or Memorial), is held after sunset, and includes a talk on the meaning of the celebration and the circulation among the audience of unadulterated red wine and unleavened bread.
  • Length: one evening annually
  • Date: They observe it on Nisan 14 (according to the ancient Jewish calendar) or Thursday, April 5, 2012.
  • Customs: Only those who believe they have a heavenly hope, the "remnant" (those still living) of the 144,000 "anointed", partake of the bread and wine. Of those who attend the Memorial, a small minority worldwide partake of the unleavened bread and wine.
  • Symbolism: Jehovah's Witnesses believe the bread symbolizes Jesus Christ's body which he gave on behalf of mankind, and that the wine symbolizes his blood which redeems from sin. They do not believe in transubstantiation or consubstantiation.

Comments

There seems to be a disconnect between the Jehovah Witnesses calendar of Nisan, and the Jewish calendar for Nisan. I'm sure I cannot resolve it. If they were really following the Jewish calendar, I believe the day for the Memorial meal would be today but they were all gathered for entry into their church last night, so I guess I am wrong.
Anonymous said…
I saw the same in Indy since I was headed to Maundy Thursday service.
Anonymous said…
I heard that in ancient times, a "day" starts after the sun sets. So the Lord's evening meal is commemorated at the start of Nissan 14. The next evening would already be Nissan 15.