Many of the so-called "mainstream churches" are as complicit in this degredation of Christmas as are the greedy chain stores and the rest of the bah humbug gaggle.
Amen (no pun intended)
Most families will probably be out seeing that gay cowboy movie on Christmas....
Our church always has a wonderful Christmas eve service and now we also be having a service on Sunday...I am looking forward to that....I doubt there was even a discussion amongst our elders regarding this
The modern day version of "No room at the Inn"?
BTW, I'll be attending Mass on Christmas morning as I have done every Christmas morning of my existence.
Pope Benedict welcomes those who come regularly, those who come intermittently and those who only come on Christmas and Easter.
I've seen the 4pm Christmas Eve mass become the most popular as that's the service in which many parishes use to let the children act out the first Christmas.
Last year, our church had a delightful Christmas pageant. The deacon was telling the story in very plain language that even the 4, 5 and 6 year olds (in the pageant) could understand.
At one point he said "And the shepherds came"
No shepherds appeared.
He tried again. "And the shepherds came"
Again no shepherds.
Amused, he chuckled and asked "Where are those shepherds?"
Still no shepherds.
Brilliantly, he improvised "And the angel went down to get the shepherds"
Which she did. A little girl ran down the altar steps and grabbed the shepherds by the hand and led them to the "manger". LOL
The whole congregation burst out in laughter.
What a great service that was.
I am proud to say that my church, Bellevue Baptist in Memphis, will be holding services on Christmas morning.
If yours is closed, come join us!
These closings on Sunday are the second time in 11 years this has conflict has occured. That's what happens when Men concoct a holiday because Men think it's a good idea, and "violate the command of God with your traditions." And yet there will be many who will argue "it's for a good cause."
We'd be wise to remember, there is only One who is "good", and His "thoughts are not our thoughts", His "ways not our ways." The Catholic church, and by extension most Protestant groups, have presumed to assume a liberty we don't have. How will you rationalize that?
I attend a small United Methodist church, one service per week. We always do a big beautiful, service on Christmas Eve, usually very well attended. I don't know if they will have a service the following morning this year.
Last time Christmas day was on Sunday, the church was open for those who wanted to come for meditation and prayer, but there was no service.
That was fine with me. I figured if I had a need to attend a service I would go to my old Catholic church which has mass every hour on sunday mornings.
The celebration of Christ's birth on December 25th was a scam anyway, created to lure pagans to Christianity.
"Focus on the Family" replaces Focus on Jesus.
I thought it was extremely funny when my pastor was asked if the church will be open on Christmas day, he replied
"Do you really want to tell Jesus you won't be here on His birthday? I can promise you, I'LL be here, even if it's just me and Him".
Amen #1:
Sunday is the Lord's Day...
Food for thought #1:
In the New Covenant of Christ, the Lord of the religious Sabbath has become the Lord of our primary relationship every day of the week. There is no hard legal requirement to ONLY worship on Sunday - NOR a similar legalistic requirement that we MUST convene EVERY Sunday.
Amen #2:
The Christmas celebration is a wonderful tradition for our faith, recognizing God's unconditional love given to all mankind in Jesus Christ.
Food for thought #2:
The joyous celebration of Jesus isn't locked into any season of the year -- or particular days of the week (...or the year.) These seasons and days are important -- and give us useful traditions for spreading the Gospel.
Food for thought #3:
The Lord's ongoing invitation of reverence is found at the Communion Table and the in the waters of baptism. Our response as Christians is not at all limited to the sacred ordnances -- but in the WILLING giving of our hearts in worship, devotion, and obedience to Christ.
Food for thought #4:
Our ongoing devotion includes life and ministry within the family web of relationships -- Christmas is a very happy time to extend God's love given in Christ into our family relationships. The fun, food, and fellowship of giving and receiving gifts -- The unselfishness and generosity -- I respectfully submit -- therein is ALSO the heart of Christ on Christmas.
So to all who will join in singing the carols and rejoicing in the telling of the story of Messiah on Christmas Eve -- and remain home sharing God's love and goodness with your families on Christmas morning.... A BLESSED AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!
And to all who will postpone the gifts and the treats until after church or chapel on Christmas Sunday morning.... A BLESSED AND MERRY CHRISTMAS
I would finally offer that we are not degrading Christmas... or Christian tradition by sharing corporate worship on Christmas Eve.. and/or Christmas-Sunday-Morning.
May we please stop sending hurtful words against one another -- and against the Lord's church and His servants in Gospel ministry?
We serve the Living God.. in Christ... through relationships He made possible...
NOT in religious traditions and rituals...
The journey through this life -- together -- is the "destination" of sorts.
May we enjoy the ride...
Jesus came to purchase for us....
ALL THE LORD'S BLESSINGS
Respectfully
Ol' Wings
bump
Bears repeating.
I suppose the reasons vary. I know that some are not having services on Sunday because they are having a late service on Christmas Eve. It's their own decision. If you happen to go to a church that chose not to have services on Christmas Day, there are plenty out there that are holding services. Go visiting!
my church in Springfield is having service Sunday morning.
The wife and I will be out of town with her parents though so we won't be there.
Can't expect preachers to work on Christmas. When are they
going to demand their Sundays off?
If the church is closed on Christmas Day, leave them and join another one. Permanently.
I know around where I am, of the 46 churches in my area, 11 are having a full slate of services, 29 are scaling back and 6 (mostly liberal Unitarian churches) are cancelling all services on Christmas Day.