I’m somewhat surprised that no one seemed to agree with me that churches closing on Christmas is shameful. To me, it’s not necessarily that I think they’re committing a cardinal sin. It’s more the irony of the matter. I think a church closing its doors on Christmas is kowtowing to the world’s definition of what Christmas is all about.
If December 25 were simply a random day in the middle of winter dedicated to family time and giving, I can see the logic of skipping church for that kind of holiday. (Although I may not necessarily agree with it, I can see the logic of it.)
But, if Christians purport to celebrate the birth of Christ on December 25, but don’t want to go to church on December 25, that’s quite ironic.
It is inconsistent to say Christmas is about Christ and, on the other hand, choose not to go to church on Christmas when it falls on the Lord's Day.
I'm not judging ... I'm simply pointing out an inconsistency.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
Amy – I can’t speak for everyone, but I at least never said that closing church on Christmas isn’t shameful. But, it depends on why it’s being closed. From what I have heard and read it has more to do with the practical implications….not enough volunteers to coordinate things for the service. Financial considerations to make regarding heating for the service when many won’t be there. My own church is having a Christmas service, but they considered not having one for practical reasons – not because they’re ignoring Christmas.
The real issue to me isn’t that church was cancelled, but why it was cancelled. We can all speculate as to the reasons, but when it all comes down to it, we don’t fully know what their reasons were and it is wrong of us to assume that they’ve just gotten sucked into the secular culture and they’re bowing to materialism and convenience. That could be so, but I think the reason no one seems to be agreeing with you here is the fact that we don’t know that to be a fact, and therefore, I think this might be a case of “judge not, lest ye be judged.”
After all, Christmas is only one day a year. Aren’t we supposed to celebrate Christ every day?
Amy,
Boy howdy do I ever agree with you! Absolutely! God asks us for one day out of the week and it's not dependent on whether we "feel like it" or not. It doesnt' matter what's going on, to me. He asked for one day out seven. So what's the problem?
I agree with your perspective too -- during a time when we're fighting to "take back Christmas" it seems to be counter productive to close the church doors and write the whole thing off as "family time." Hello.
So, in other words, you aren't alone. I agree wholeheartedly!
I am TOTALLY with you--completely shameful because it neglects the whole point of the day, period. In this, I believe we can take a lesson from the Europeans. A friend of mine, who recently came to the states to attend college here, told me he was shocked at the way Americans celebrate Christmas. He said that in the Czech Republic (and other Euro nations) EVERYONE (the unchurched, everyone) attends church on Christmas, no matter what day it falls on--further, it is a highlight of their day. Also, instead of saying Santa Clause brought their presents (some countries, however, have recently adopted Santa Clause, but, as a whole, Euros are NOT centered on materialism as many in the states are), the dad will enter the room the family is in (at the END of the day), ring a bell and proclaim the baby Jesus has just left them presents. I think that's a WAY better way to celebrate a day that is, HELLO, about JESUS!
Jeanette,
I'm trying to be optimistic but I have a hard time believing that a church like Willow Creek doesn't have enough people staying in town to hold services on Christmas.
And, about judging ... be careful not to let the pendulum swing in the total-opposite direction where you're afraid to question anything other believers choose to do.
Yeah, take that!
Tuckster/Matt -
I'll leave it at what I said. I'm not questioning your motive for not going to church this year. ;-) I don't know your heart. That's between you and God.
But I do think it's inconsist to say "Yes, Lord, I will honor your Sabboth, the day set apart to worship You and meet with Your people ... except this year that day happens to be on Dec. 25 and that will not be very convenient for me or my family festivities. Sorry, Lord, even though Dec. 25, ironically, is about celebrating the birth of Your Son, it just won't work out this year for me to go to church."
I agree it is shameful! Our church is cutting back the number of services/programs/Awana, etc. to permit everyone more time with family, but they are not eliminating a Sunday service altogether! After all, Churches should be celebrating the real reason for Christmas -- Christ's birth, not family time.
Post a Comment