Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Are you going to church on Christmas?

This year, Christmas falls on a Sunday. Talk about bad timing! That is if you regularly gather with Christians to worship on Sundays. So what's your church doing this year? Will you have a service next week, Sunday December 25? Or would that be a terrible idea? Think about it: taking time out of Christmas morning with your family to celebrate the birth of Creator-Redeemer Jesus, the Messiah?! I can tell you, that it was mostly a no-brainer for my fellow pastor and me to decide that we would definitely call the church together for a Christmas celebration. I was actually surprised that this would be a problem, even some of my family was shocked that our church would not cancel at least the Christmas or New Year's service.

Apparently, at least one megachurch as decided "that organizing services on a Christmas Sunday would not be the most effective use of staff and volunteer resources." (Check out the whole article online: Some Megachurches Closing for Christmas. )

That's pretty sad if you ask me. Don't get me wrong, if you know me well, you know that I believe that worship does not begin and end on Sunday. Corporate worship is a small part of our whole life of worship. So there's nothing "magical" about going to church on Christmas day. You won't turn into a "super-Christian." You will however have an opportunity to tangibly re-connect to why we supposedly celebrate Christmas!

I'm curious to find out what your church is doing this Christmas, and if you do meet for gathered worship, let me know how it went. What a blessing we have this year to celebrate Jesus' birth and anticipate his return.

Merry Christmas and Maranatha!

8 comments:

jason said...

"You will however have an opportunity to tangibly re-connect to why we supposedly celebrate Christmas!”

Josh well said. That has been one of the most frustrating things about this issue. Is there a more Christ exulting way to spend Christmas than to spend it reflecting on and worshiping the Christ we follow. I think we have missed the point of worship, our celebration of his coming in Christmas, and of life as a redeemed people.

Josh O. said...

Thanks for dropping by. Glad to see you join the blog world. Hope its beneficial to you.

Christmas Sunday. Man, I'm stoked about it. I actually was writing this post just before Youth Group and had some good talks with some of the teens. Their suggestion was to have a special Christmas Eve service instead of a Sunday service. So it begs a question: is it better or more important to spend time with only your family on Christmas or to celebrate the coming of the Messiah with your family and the gathered community of faith?

I guess for a lot of people its just a good idea, but not worth the hassle. Will you be exulting with the local church on Christmas morning?

jason said...

Our church is worshipping together on Christmas. I am really excited about it. It will be a good reminder for us of the salvation that is ours.

I love seeing the progress on your home. You two must be so excited to see the progress coming along.

Ben and Phyllis said...

Totally agree with you Josh!

Our church is holding services on Christmas Sunday - closing was not even considered.

Love you!
Phyllis (your totally unbiased sister)

Marc said...

yes, actually I'm preaching.

Josh O. said...

Marc,
Cool beans on the preaching! Will this be at your home church? Great to see you at the book factory the other day.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Dave said...

no, i'm not going to church on christmas. am i a bad person?

Marc said...

Yes, at my home church. I've got New Years Day too! Good to see you too! Loving the HOUSE! Looks GREAT!

(how much land?)