Posted on 12/11/2005 8:58:32 PM PST by Pikamax
There was never a Christmas until the early Christians realized it would be a wise idea to incorporate pagan "holy" days into their own "traditions". So the December celebrations were Christianized in order to keep people from sneaking out and having secret pagan celebrations.
Talk about jumping through hoops to manufacture a conclusion....
"Couldn't they at least have a super-simple service instead of the production that would put many small theatre companies to shame?"
That's a great idea! In fact, that's what most of them are doing and everyone's complaining about it. They decided that the way to do a super-simple service was to have hundreds of them across the church. Each family would meet in their living room, read the Christmas story and pray together. But no, everyone looking in from the outside decides that having the entire megachurch together is the only valid definition of a church service.
Looking at your answer, I think you are being sacastic (when can you celebrate Christmas if you have to take time to go to church.) Some folks are going to miss your point without a sarcasm tag, however. I did at first until I looked at what you actually said.
"they emphasized religion over relationships"
Ah, like a personal relationship with Christ? Yep, I say, stay home and tear off that wrapping paper as fast as you can. That will give you relationships .
Sounds like this winner is determined to get the day off and was looking for loopholes after the bad publicity. His fifteen Christmas trees will be dark on the celebration of the Lord's birth. That's the bottom line.
Cripes, for most churchs Christmas is the number one cash day. Most church's budget's won't balance without Christmas. Easter helps, too.
I choose to believe Christ's birth was in December because the decree from Caeser Ausgustus went out that the "world" be taxed and that persons return to their cities of birth for the census count. Therefore, Joseph - being a man, the head of household - waited until the last minute to file - the last week in December to return to Bethlehem.
Oops - that's "Augustus". Sorry..!
That didn't work - I've been to WalMart and have seen the evidence! The new ritual is called "Bust the Budget" and the wallet is offered up as a sacrifice.
And why should we care what another Church decides to do for it's members.
There is also Hebrews 10:25 to consider. If the "church service" is mere entertainment for and preaching to a passive audience, is the purpose for gathering together fulfilled? IMO, no.
As a side note, there is some rational argument for a fall birth (Sept or Oct):
http://www.keyway.ca/htm2003/20031225.htm
I doubt it's the entire congregation. And if not, what kind of a message does this send to folks who'd like to attend?
One more thread on this subject Baptist ping.
"Weece noted that Jesus also was criticized for breaking tradition. "There were some whose zeal even in the days of Jesus was misguided," he said. "They emphasized religion over relationship."
Hmmmmmmm?
You have now.
Apparently the experience of running three Sunday services is different at our church than at the ones you've been going to. There is no reason for you to accuse an honorable man of lying simply because he won't force over a hundred volunteers and a bunch of cops to leave their families on Christmas morning.
I just can't imagine caring less if a church 500 miles from me is having service on Christmas day. If the members are fine with it, why should an outsider have an opinion?
/sarcasm on
Maybe they should also cancel other church services as well, since they don't have to offer services on Christmas, which is more significant than any 'ol regular Sunday, heck, why keep wasting money by opening up on days of rest?
/sarcasm off
Rev. Weese says they "chose to value families. People over policy."
SOUNDS MORE LIKE PEOPLE OVER JESUS.
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