Questions Answered

A couple of weeks ago, we were wondering how many who want to make sure that “Christ is in Christmas” would be at worship on December 25th. Some “mega-churches” are making that decision easier on families. They have simply decided that, since Christmas falls on a Sunday, they should cancel services.

The Associated Press originally wrote a story about the decision on December 6. The original article may be read by clicking here. One quote from the story comes from Calley Parkinson, who works at the Willow Creek Community Church in Northern Illinois. Of canceling their services on December 25 she said, “If our target and mission is to reach the unchurched, basically the people who don’t go to church, how likely is it that they’ll be going to church on Christmas morning?” She also mentioned that the last time Christmas fell on a Sunday, 1994, “only a small number of people showed up to pray.” So what? Jesus said that the way to heaven is “narrow and difficult” (Matthew 7:14), and that there would be few who find it. Should we not keep our doors open so long as there is even one who wishes to worship God?

Since the release of the story, several news wires have covered the decisions of other mega-churches, and have given their perspective. One such outlet is the Courier News online, which covers suburban Chicago–cities such as Napierville, Evanston and Gary. They report that many theologians see this decision as a sign of “defeat.” Defeat to what? Defeat to the consumer! Many in the religious world have become so driven to give people exactly what they want that they would go so far as to cancel the worship of God! (You may read the article from the Courier News by clicking here.)

This is truly sad from many perspectives. It is sad that many do not see the worship of God as a first priority anymore. Christmas is a holiday that is most associated with family and fun, but nothing is of greater importance than worshipping our Creator! When any Sunday rolls around, we should be bowing at the feet of God and celebrating His love, mercy and grace. Everything else–work, school activities, recreation and, yes, even family–should come down the line on His day.

Maybe, instead of worrying about putting the “Christ in Christmas,” we need to remind others to put “the Lord back in the Lord’s day!”