Christmas: Church or no Church?
To tell you the truth, I'm getting sick and tired of all this debate about whether or not we should have church on Christmas day. Why is everyone treating this like it's the first time it's happened in the history of mankind? I haven't heard one reference to what anybody did last time Christmas fell on a Sunday, in 1994.
Firstly, why NOT go to church? Doesn't Hebrews 10:24-25 have something to add to this debate?
Because we traditionally meet together on Sundays to commemorate the Lord rising from the dead on Sunday because of the practice started by the apostles in the primitive (early) church, Sunday is normally the only day that we can fulfill this biblical command. In these days of rampant materialism (that is far past "invading" the church and has moved on to "festering" in the church) and advancing secularism, we are in great need of "encouraging one another," especially if there is no mid-week meeting of the saints or regular fellowship outside of Sunday.
Another thing that should be helpful in this theme are the priorities involved in decisions of whether or not to have church on Christmas. Why is the church involved not having church on Christmas day? Is it just for convenience? If so, that is a LOUSY excuse for cancelling a meeting together of a local church. If convenience was so high on the "list of important things to consider when planning church attendance" then we would be woefully empty on many days throughout summer vacation on other holidays. What Jesus did for us on the cross was in no way "convenient." Luther, Zwingli and Calvin didn't begin the Reformation because of an easier schedule and more "convenient" time spent with family. They counted the cost and believed that the supremacy of the Word of God was more important than ANYTHING.
Also, having church services on Christmas day is another HUGE way of having an impact on the community. We're supposed to be different! In so many ways we (Christians) are so like the world. We are in the world but not of the world. This is just one more way to say to the world: "We hold the meeting together of the saints to the glory of Jesus Christ as more important than sleeping in, or a more traditional morning of opening presents, or for travelling that we couldn't do the night before, etc."
Ah well, I'll let this go for now. What do you think?
Firstly, why NOT go to church? Doesn't Hebrews 10:24-25 have something to add to this debate?
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not
neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one
another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Because we traditionally meet together on Sundays to commemorate the Lord rising from the dead on Sunday because of the practice started by the apostles in the primitive (early) church, Sunday is normally the only day that we can fulfill this biblical command. In these days of rampant materialism (that is far past "invading" the church and has moved on to "festering" in the church) and advancing secularism, we are in great need of "encouraging one another," especially if there is no mid-week meeting of the saints or regular fellowship outside of Sunday.
Another thing that should be helpful in this theme are the priorities involved in decisions of whether or not to have church on Christmas. Why is the church involved not having church on Christmas day? Is it just for convenience? If so, that is a LOUSY excuse for cancelling a meeting together of a local church. If convenience was so high on the "list of important things to consider when planning church attendance" then we would be woefully empty on many days throughout summer vacation on other holidays. What Jesus did for us on the cross was in no way "convenient." Luther, Zwingli and Calvin didn't begin the Reformation because of an easier schedule and more "convenient" time spent with family. They counted the cost and believed that the supremacy of the Word of God was more important than ANYTHING.
Also, having church services on Christmas day is another HUGE way of having an impact on the community. We're supposed to be different! In so many ways we (Christians) are so like the world. We are in the world but not of the world. This is just one more way to say to the world: "We hold the meeting together of the saints to the glory of Jesus Christ as more important than sleeping in, or a more traditional morning of opening presents, or for travelling that we couldn't do the night before, etc."
Ah well, I'll let this go for now. What do you think?
posted by Happy at
21:41
2 Comments:
I think it's sad that on Christmas, the day we celebrate Christ's birth, people would consider not having a regular church service because the holiday falls on a Sunday. I wish that more Christians would make church a "family" time too. For many Christians it seems that church has become a chore, not a blessed time of fellowship and teaching from God's Word. Then again, this isn't the case with all families, but it shouldn't be the case with any! Thanks for the challenging post :-)
By
Amy, at 10:37 AM
Happy, I thought through some of the same things. It's interesting to think that even Christmas would be used to draw out some of the lazy corruption in our circles. Even our (immediate) "family time" has become so much like the world. Independence is so worldly. Your blog has ignited my excitement for the church. I can't wait until Sunday, especially this one. Not just because it's Christmas but because it's Sunday...well, more so because of the church family! Thanks man! Wanna have lunch this week before you leave? -Ona
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Anonymous, at 9:44 AM
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