Church Closed Christmas Day
"Mail Bag Monday"
I wanted to share this letter with you I recieved from Pam in Columbus. Feel free to post your comments. Should churches close their doors on Sunday because it's Christmas day? Two large metro Atlanta churches will not offer services on Christmas Sunday, anticipating low attendance and seeking to give their volunteers a break. Do you agree with their move? Are you going to church on Christmas or are you skipping it to open presents? Would love to hear from you.
Here's the letter.........................
Wild Bill,
I’m flabbergasted over everyone taking the “Christ” out of Christmas. I was reading in the Atlanta Journal Constitution how some of the biggest churches in Atlanta, Charles Stanley’s First Baptist and his son Andy Stanley’s Northpoint Community Church will be closing it’s doors on Christmas Day. I’m noticing a few churches around Columbus and Phenix City following suit which pains me even more. I understand when churches do not hold services during natural disasters. But not offering a service on the day that Christians celebrate the birth of Christ may indicate the church has “lost the true meaning of Christmas” or maybe they suspect that many people will be away visiting and their numbers won’t look good. It seems any church should offer one service on a Christmas Sunday. I will be attending church on Christmas day. My church has decided that the holiest day of the year should be kept each year! We have church no matter which day the week Christmas falls. It’s as it should be. I am shocked that one of the 2 holiest days of the year should be an off day. This is more evidence that the real reason for the season has gotten lost in the hoopla of a Santa Clause and people being more wrapped up in receiving rather that giving. I guess the ACLU has finally succeeded in taking Christ out of Christmas.
Sincerely Pam,
Columbus GA
posted by Wild Bill's Blog at 1:27 AM
35 Comments:
By Meg
What better way to celebrate Christ’s birth than to go to church? We have a wonderful pastor, the sermons are so powerful they almost always make me cry, and I know we’ll be blessed by hearing God’s word before we open our presents, and we’ll ne more likely to remember the true meaning of the day in the midst of the commercialism
Friday, December 09, 2005
By Alice
I understand when churches do not hold services during natural disasters. But not offering a service on the day that Christians celebrate the birth of Christ may indicate the church has “lost the true meaning of Christmas” or maybe they suspect that many people will be away visiting and their numbers won’t look good. It seems any church should offer one service on a Christmas Sunday
Friday, December 09, 2005
By Brad
The 3rd Commandment: Remember thou keep the Sabbath Day.
Does it say anywhere in the ten commandments that “Remember thou keep the Sabbath Day, except on Christmas Day to give the volunteers a break”? Maybe that was the 11th commandment that got left out. No, as a christian this really saddens me that these churches aren’t celebrating the birth of Christ on the most important christian day of the year. Jesus is the reason for the season! I agree with Meg and I too will hear the word of God from my church before I rip through the presents. It comes down to priorities.
Friday, December 09, 2005
By Brad
I would hardly call not attending service on Christmas Day a “break”! I would call it getting ripped off. I would see it as a privilege and great honor to serve my church on Christmas, thereby bringing Christ to other people through serving them at church.
Friday, December 09, 2005
By NLE
I think Rev. Falwell is correct for a change. I have a deep belief in my Higher Power but am truly surprised that on the one day everyone is supposed to consider most holy, some are taking a collective break. What a joke, folks. I am a political conservative but really find the zealousness of the Bible Belt annoying at best, and now hypocritical at worst.
Friday, December 09, 2005
By Bill Wright II
I believe that Christmas Sunday would be the best Sunday to be in Church. What a perfect day.
Friday, December 09, 2005
By Charles G
Rational stupidity. Ususally we attempt to make decisions that we believe are based on good reasoning. Unfortunately, our final decision sometimes is stupid. FBC-Atlanta and North Pointe decision to abandon their purposes on Christmas can best be described as rational stupidity.
Friday, December 09, 2005
By Chris
Personally, I do not need a building or a congregation to help me worship the Lord. I can do that just fine in my house while, among many other things, sharing gifts with my children.
Friday, December 09, 2005
By George Persons
I salute Dr. Stanley and son.
Friday, December 09, 2005
By Eric O
As a Christian I think it is important to remember that we should honor Jesus through our living every day of the year. We are not slaves to a building or a Sunday ritual. Christ is honored through our love and adoration not through one Sunday Morning service.
Friday, December 09, 2005
By twanamccants
to thisOur church is having saturday service why not have saturday service
Friday, December 09, 2005
Appaled
I am appalled at the fact that churches would cancel services on the most holy day of the year. This is the day we celebrate the birth of Christ, and we demean it when we fail to be in His house and worship Him on that day. The church should be separate from society, not bound by it. What if the martyrs of old had taken this stance? We wouldn’t have the religion or the freedom.
Friday, December 09, 2005
By Sheena
What better way to celebrate the birth of Jesus than to attend his birthday party (church). If you don’t go to church any other Sunday of the year, you should definitely be in church Sunday, December 25th!
Friday, December 09, 2005
By Cindy
I will be attending church on Christmas day. My church has decided that the holiest day of the year should be kept each year! We have church no matter which day the week Christmas falls. It’s as it should be.
Friday, December 09, 2005
By Jim
Sunday is the Lord’s day, What else can you say, It is Christmas and what better way to spend the day but worshiping on the Birthday of Jesus!
Friday, December 09, 2005
By Larry
I for one do not see myself as a slave to my church building or to a Sunday ritual. My wife and I will be in church on Christmas Day just as we are in church most every Sunday because we want to be there and love to be there to worship and honor our Lord. Our church family is just as important family to us as our biological families and we will spend time with both on Christmas Sunday.
Friday, December 09, 2005
By Sandy
I am happy to say that my church will be having both Sunday School classes and Sunday Morning Worship services on Christmas Day. My 5 yr old granddaughter will be in SS Christmas morning…can’t think of a more wonderful place to be than with a few hundred of my brothers and sisters in Christ than worshiping Him together. After church we will be coming to my home for a big dinner and lots of present opening…Christmas will last all day long rather than just a little while in the early morning. Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to voice my opinion.
Friday, December 09, 2005
By james
First Baptist Church of Woodstock will be worshiping two services Christmas Eve and then again Sunday, Chirstmas Day, All are welcome to come and worship with us.
Friday, December 09, 2005
By Anita
Yes, my family will be attending our church on Christmas Day. It is the celebration of our Lord and Savior, and His house is closed? Did He take a vacation? This is more evidence that the real reason for the season has gotten lost in the hoopla of a Santa Clause and people being more wrapped up in receiving rather that giving. God gave us His son, but we can’t give Him a few hours? What are we showing unbelievers?
Friday, December 09, 2005
By Schronda
The bible doesn’t say to celebrate his birth. It also dosn’t say it would be a sin to celebrate. So if we celebrate our childs birthday in our homes. Why should we not celebrate Jesus birthday in Gods house. WE SHOULD BE EXCITED TO GO TO CHURCH ON CHRISTMAS. Amen!
Friday, December 09, 2005
By Faith
To read that churches will be closed on Christmas is an abomination! What is equally amazing to me is that these are the people who are complaining about prayer being taken out of school and the 10 Commandments being removed from public buildings. If one closes the doors on one’s God on his birthday, WHAT IS THE POINT OF ANY OF THIS??? This is so very very sad.
Friday, December 09, 2005
By Sophia
I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. All of our ward (sacrament) buildings will be open across the world on Christmas Day. We will partake of the sacrament and worship Jesus Christ. I look forward to going to church on Christmas Day. We do not however have a paid clergy.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!!
Friday, December 09, 2005
By D-Tweety
It’s Sunday! What is there to think about? I will be celebrating my Saviour’s birth with like-minded Christians at church! JOY TO THE WORLD! THE LORD HAS COME! So come and celebrate the GREATEST GIFT to the world, Jesus the Christ.
Friday, December 09, 2005
By Toni R Stenson
I attend World Changers Church International and Pastor Creflo A Dollar would never close down church. Jesus is the Reason for the Season and what better way to celebrate His birthday than to be at church fellowshipping with other believers. Any Pastor, Minister, Preacher or Reverend should check their motives for closing down God’s house. What about the souls that only come to church on days like Easter and Christmas, if the doors of the church are closed then where will they go?
Friday, December 09, 2005
By Stephanie Hills
**I will be traveling to my home town in Louisiana for Christmas and will not be attending my church here in Georgia (which by the way is open for worship and service); however, I cannot imagine missing an opportunity to worship on the very day, the very reason for the season, of why we even celebrate Christmas and I will be attending my former church in Louisiana. I believe this holiday and observation has become “too” commercialized and no longer “Christ” centered, which is a reflection of how this nation is gradually forgetting what it has been founded on for centuries and now because of that, such chaos and immorality and disbelief, etc., etc., has become so rampant.
Friday, December 09, 2005
By Jeff
I’m glad our church has a service on Sunday. We really need change our focus from a “purse” driven life to a “purpose” driven life. It’s time to remember that Christmas is not about all the “store-bought” goodies under the tree. It is about God’s special gift to us - His Son - who came to give us life to the fullest in His Kingdom now on Earth, and the next in Heaven. Amen!
Friday, December 09, 2005
By TL
I’m a member of a church that will be ‘closed’ on Christmas day & I’ve always gone to church on Christmas day in the past, so I have to say I am a little disappointed they are closing, BUT I support their decision as my leaders. I still Love Jesus and will still honor Him & celebrate His birth, Life, death, and Resurrection on this blessed day!!!
Friday, December 09, 2005
Our congregation will be holding services in a building we call church (a misnomer)on Christmas Day to worship our Lord and Savior and to learn more of His word. There is no such thing as being ‘in church”,’attending church’or ‘going to church’. The church (people) can gather itself together anywhere to worship. (Where two or three are gathered)I thank God for our beautiful sanctuary but you seldom found Christ in any kind of a building. He was outside of any four walls, doing the work of the Father and there is where we are instructed to be and worship Him in our daily walk. My wife and I and all my children and grandchildren will be attending worship services on Sunday.
Friday, December 09, 2005
By Gil
Many magachurches across the country are closed on Christmas Day…… just like other entertainment venues. Worshipping congregations, however, are meeting as usual.
Friday, December 09, 2005
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Friday, December 09, 2005
I think it's more important for families on Christmas day even if it is on Sunday to be at home so they can truely celebrate the Savior which we plan on doing as to opposed to putting one more notch on their belt for "attending church". Let's do the "right thing" rather than "doing things right"
Friday, December 09, 2005
You know, this is not the first time ever that December 25 has fallen on a Sunday. Ever since I can remember, when Christmas was on a Sunday, the only difference from other Christmases was at a certain time, my parents said "OK, let's get ready for church" and we went. We still had the big dinner, etc; and no one was inconvenienced by having to give up a couple of hours for church. That's the way it was in my family growing up. Sure, we had some family members who didn't go, but my Dad was very ademate in his belief about being in church on Sunday. That has made me the Christian I am today. I will be in church Christmas day. The only alternative that might make sense to me is several church bodies having a united Christmas service. Otherwise, I think I would question whether I want to be a part of a church that would close it's doors on Christmas. This is the one day that makes all other days worthwhile in this life.
Monday, December 12, 2005
'T'was the night before Christmas
And all through the town
Not a sign of Baby Jesus
Was anywhere to be found.
The people were all busy
With Christmas time chores
Like decorating, and baking,
And shopping in stores.
No one sang "Away in a manger,
No crib for a bed".
Instead, they sang of Santa
Dressed-up in bright red.
Mama watched Martha Stewart,
Papa drank beer from a tap.
As hour upon hour
The presents they'd wrap
When what from the T.V.
Did they suddenly hear?
'Cept an ad.. which told
Of a big sale at Sears.
So away to the mall
They all flew like a flash...
Buying things on credit...
And others with cash!
And, as they made their way home
From their trip to the mall,
Did they think about Jesus?
Oh, no... not at all.
Their lives were so busy
With their Christmas time things
No time to remember
Christ Jesus, the King.
There were presents to wrap
And cookies to bake.
How could they stop and remember
Who died for their sake?
To pray to the Savior...
They had no time to stop.
Because they needed more time
To "Shop til they dropped!"
On Wal-mart! On K-mart!
On Target! On Penney's!
On Hallmark! On Zales!
A quick lunch at Denny's.
From the big stores downtown
To the stores at the mall,
They would dash away, dash away,
And visit them all!
And up on the roof,
There arose such a clatter
As grandpa hung icicle lights up
On his brand new step ladder.
He hung lights that would flash.
He hung lights that would twirl.
Yet, he never once prayed to Jesus...
Light of the World.
Christ's eyes... how they twinkle!
Christ's Spirit... how merry!
Christ's love... how enormous!
All our burdens... He'll carry!
So instead of being busy,
Overworked, and uptight
Let's put Christ back in Christmas
And enjoy some good nights
~AUTHOR UNKNOWN~
Monday, December 12, 2005
First of all, I enjoy Christmas morning 2005 in Church. Second, my opinion is that if it is so important to you to spend Christmas in Church because it is a 'Holy' day, please consider having services on every Christmas morning, regardless of the day of the week. Is this a much too extreme recommendation? Maybe your church would vote against it in favor of work schedules or family schedules.
Is it possible that these Churches offered other services to usher the 'Holy' celebration in on Christmas eve, or maybe even at the stroke of Midnight? Is it possible that a vote was taken regarding how to make this the most special and most Holy day in the hearts of the Believers. Who made the Sabbath on Sunday anyways... or do you know?
Sunday is not the ONLY Holy Day. If you feel that Christmas and I'm assuming Easter are the 2 holiest day's of the year, please consider that you are missing out on the biggest blessings that God offers to His People. You see every day in a Christian Believers life is to be set apart as a Holy day of Worship. I find it critical and judgmental that we should waste our time on things that do not pertain to our lives here in our midst and community. There are people Dying in your community going to Hell and most of them would not attend church on Christmas or Easter Anyway. Spend your time focusing on the real gift of Jesus and your promotion of His Grace and Mercy, and you will be too busy to see the mistakes you feel other 'churches' make.
Monday, January 23, 2006
People have been celebrating Christmas for years without knowing the truth or the origin. By my readings Christmas was not founded by Christ or instituted by the Bible, therefore it cannot be a holy day nor should it be celebrated as a holy day unto Christ. Christ was not born on this day. Did God instruct anyone to borrow pagan rituals? According to the Bible God would be going against His own commands. If Christmas falls on a Sunday by all means go to church; dont close the doors of the house of God for any reason. You do not have to celebrate a day just because it is supposed to be. Be in the world not of the world.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
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