I just had a mini conversation with someone who told me he had just read that these so called "mega" churches have gotten together and decided they will close their doors on Christmas this year. As you probably no doubt know, Christmas is on a Sunday this year.
What's wrong with this picture? I mean, think about it...Jesus is the reason for the season isn't He? Afterall, Christmas is about celebrating the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Sure, the holiday seems to have taken a nose dive into commercialism for the past, I don't know, mega several years. Sure, Jesus has been replaced by Santa for a lot of people. Sure Rudolph is a star in his own right...cartoons and songs in his honour...and the evil monster Greed has crept up and taken over the season...
Christmas just isn't what it originally was...ok there are those who say it's based on pagan rituals and stuff...trees being decorated or something like that, the day it is celebrated is supposedly a pagan holiday or something...I can't even begin to remember all the so called "associations" with pagan holidays and rituals that people claim to have been adopted into the Christian Holy Day...I don't begin to even understand it all...
All I know is that for Christians, the day is meant to celebrate the birth of Christ (though the Bible says nothing of remembering his birth, only His death...but I'm not against celebrating his birth), the fact that God humbled Himself and came to the earth as a tiny baby who had come to save mankind from his/her sins and offer eternal life.
So, if Jesus is the reason for the season, why are these churches closing their doors on Christmas day? I just don't get it. The church should be there for those who are seeking Christ, and what better day to be open than Christmas day!
Service start a little too early and someone is afraid they won't get the presents unwrapped soon enough? No problem, wait until after the service...the presents aren't going anywhere. Afraid the turkey might not be cooked by noon? No problem, wait til after the service...nothing says you can't have your turkey closer to supper time (or early evening) instead of noon or just after.
I mean, think about it...would Jesus close the doors to His house if He were there? I'm guessing no...I'm guessing He'd have them wide open ready to welcome His guests and visitors...so, again I ask...what's up with closing the church on Christmas day?
13 comments:
Our church near Augusta, Georgia will definitely be open for Christmas and I expect a wonderful joyous service - since that is what we usually have. :) It really does make one wonder about the mindset of those that are closing. ec
I confess to being afraid of Christmas, and confused about the proper way to celebrate. my brother has such stress over "making it wonderful" for everybody, and I go into a tailspin having never found a way to prepare myself for a season of giving. I am as likely to want to hide under the covers as to come out and be showered with gifts that I do not have an adequate response to. I am sure my brother is disappointed that I 'choose' this time of year to withdraw, I know I hurt him badly one year when I sent my kids, but did not attend the family gathering at all. Mind you I was not close to the Lord then ( better about that now ) and that I had wrecked my finances to the point of no return. I have more potential now, but large debt and scars from holidays past. wow - I didnt mean to unload all that, thanks for listening.
It's funny that it's always open on Easter, but why not Christmas...hmmm...
Could you do me a big favor and call it "Holiday Time"... yeah thanks.
;-)
I do so wish we would see things Christ'a way instead of our own.
Our church voted to have a Christmas Eve service, but to forego the Christmas Sunday Morning service.
I think it is sad and I totally disagreed witht he decision.
But, it is what it is and I cannot change it.
I'll worship somplace else Christmas Sunday morning.
But it won't be the same.
I agree with you whole-heartedly. Churches should be planning bigger-than-normal services for that day, not shutting their doors. And the reasoning for shutting the doors, while sounding "Christian"--to allow members to spend time with family--is so very wrong. What about the church family? Without Christ as the center, the family ceases to be what God wants it to be.
To sum up: KEEP THE DOORS OPEN!!!!
I read that they were doing that too, so that the church family could be with their families. I think it's sad since Jesus is the reason for our celebration of Christmas. The ones I read about that were doing it are the really big churches. It's sad......
Hi Shelley, just wanted to pop by and thank you for leaving your message on The Faith Expedition. It's so nice to hear from someone who is going through the stresses of school at the same time as me! My last day of clases was on the 7th. I have one exam on the 12th (Psychology) and two on the 15th. I've already done two take-home exams. I'll be praying for you as you study and write those dreaded exams! Wow...Hebrew...that would be hard! Hugs, Becky
hi shelley! that is strange that some churches are closing their doors (or cancelling services). i can understand if they change the times of services to later in the day for a special service (i was thinking people want to do the present-opening with kids in the morning if need be). hopefully these churches have already planned special services to make up for what's being cancelled the day of Christmas. i can't imagine any church ignoring Christmas altogether!! =O
on another note - i finally finished that baby blanket!! i've posted pictures on my other (knitting) blog if you want to take a look. =)
Great post Shelley! I heard about this on the radio news and I was shocked!!! I mean really!! You made really great points!
Oh I SO agree with you! I read about that in the paper, and there are several churches in my area that will be closed. It's outrageous! My church is having a Christmas Eve candlelight service, then one gathering on Christmas morning. The kids all get to wear their pajamas, so they are all psyched.
That makes no sense, you're right.
i never really thought of that until now. we'll have a christmas service on the 25th. i thought that's as natural as having breakfast. there are really some churches like that, huh? wow! aren't we suppose to celebrate His birthday?
Post a Comment