The "battle" "rages" in the USA over the "Christmas" season. Not only is there a huge backlash from Christians this year regarding the removal of "Christmas" and replacing it with "Holiday," I understand that certain large, very prominent mega-churches in the USA are NOT holding services on Christmas day since it falls on a SonDay.
Mike Gallagher, a radio talk show host, says he's asked these churches why and their primary response was "they can't meet expenses to hold services because not enough people show up when Christmas is on a SonDay." They said they also want to free their ministry staff to spend the day with their families.
Now these churches are holding special services before SonDay- some are holding many special services. But Gallagher and Jerry Falwell (Gallagher's phone interviewee today) feel this is anathama (maybe anathama's a little strong) and can't believe these churches are passing on services just because SonDay falls on a holiday.
As I listened to their conversation, I felt anger at these churches for caving so easily. After all, worship is not something we drop because it is inconvenient. In fact, King David felt sacrifice was an important aspect of worship. But then as I kept thinking about it, I also thought about the fact that worship doesn't have to just happen on SonDay. In fact, if it's the only time it does happen in someone's life, then I question if it is true worship.
Now I'll be at my church on Christmas SonDay (as I always have), but should I think less of those who choose to worship another time that week and stay home that day? What about those who always choose to worship on another day over SonDay? {Shudder to think! Worship on Saturday?!}
I think it's has a lot to do with the culture we've been brought up in. Holding a "church service" is not the most important spiritual aspect of being a Christian each week. Having relationship with the church is. Some accomplish that on SonDay's others work that out throughout the week.
Where will you be on this Christmas SonDay?
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6 comments:
I'll be squatting at Stephen and Danielle's apartment while they are away and a few of us will be hosting a very special 'transient' Christmas. We don't go to church, we ARE the church!!
Doug: 'church service'? What? No holiness meeting?
grace,
stephenc
great comment Tara...who care about going TO church when we are THE church, his body? it can be just as great a worship experience [even better maybe] to celebrate Christmas with your family at home as going to a service.
that is, if you're intentional about it.
Steve: ALL my services have the element of holiness in them- even if I don't call them such all the time. :)
Others: Agreed- we ARE the church. But does that mean we can "just hang around with relatives" and not relate to others? Aren't OTHERS our family too?
And when we hang out with family, are we worshipping God or is it just food & fun? Is that what you mean by "intentional?"
yes that is what i mean. just because you are going to church on sunday does not mean you are necessarily relating to others [or being holy for that matter], and at the same time gathering together with family [or other believers] on Christmas does not automatically translate into a worship experience. thus, you have to be intentional about it and create family traditions that serve to worship the Lord on Christmas day, on whatever day of the week it may fall on. this wouldn't be an issue of the 25th were a wednesday.
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