I can't decide whether to laugh or cry.
But some churches aren't treating this lightly. This is serious business for them. After all, they have to consider how best to use their staff and volunteer resources, as Cally Parkinson, a spokeswoman for Willow Creek Community Church, said back in 2005 when faced with this "dilemma."
"If our target and our 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 said. (quoted from USA Today)
I have a question.
WHY?
There is an holy God in Heaven, and now we are plagued with the decision of whether to worship Him, God Almighty, the King of Kings, the Cosmic Christ, The Beginning and the End, or to spend it opening our gifts at home! Those of you who believe in and worship gifts and giving instead of the power of Yahweh, don't even waste your time trying to justify it.
I'll be frank. This really fries me. The Lord God Sabaoth rules, and you wonder whether it would more prudent to celebrate the "spirit of Christmas" when a man ought to worry about celebrating the awesome power of the Spirit of God. What better way to spend Christmas than in His presence, with His church, in His peace. Celebrate His Son. The answer to prophecy, and the consummation of history.
It just doesn't make sense. Why don't you just put a Baal on top of your tree while you're at it?
Benjamin wrote further,
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| The crowning jewel of the "Jones'" Christmas Tree this year. |
Benjamin wrote further,
Thinking about this prompted me to ask myself some questions:
1) What exactly am I celebrating here? Am I truly celebrating Christ and what He has done? Or has "the season" become an idol?
2) Do my actions line up? Am I more eager to give or to receive? What did Christ model for me?
3) How can I spread the light of the Gospel this time of year? Is it not a golden opportunity for us to share what Christ has done?
4) How often will I think about or give thanks for Christ's incarnation throughout the rest of the year? Is it possible that I've allowed the Christmas season to become the only time I consider Christ's birth?I concur with my friend... Read his questions, and if you have the wrong attitude, turn from it, and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. (Psalm 119:9; John 1:14)
Dude, I'm a pretty conservative Christian myself, and I hate to tell you this, but that "Christ"mas tree in your home has its roots in paganism and worship of Baal and the Grove. Constantine is the reason for the season.
ReplyDeleteAs Christians, we are not exhorted to commemorate Christ's birth, but instead we are to honor His death by taking up a daily cross and dying to sin/self.
Thank God for Constantine!
ReplyDeleteAlso, please identify yourself, otherwise I will have to remove your comment.
I love the celebration of the incarnation of the Son, always have,and I believe I always will.
So how does it matter if we were told to or not? It doesn't make any difference to me, but do you celebrate thanksgiving? Or is that too secular as well?
P S how do you know I have a Christmas tree?
ReplyDeleteGood, interesting thoughts you have here. A worthy consideration.
ReplyDeleteHowever, my family is not going to church on Christmas. We live 1 hr. 15 min. away from church, and our grandparents live right near us. We are planning on going to their house for the day, as usual.
That is not to say that we will not be worshiping God on that day. You can still keep the Sabbath without going to church (obviously, like if you're sick). I'm excited this year to give gifts. If I don't get any gifts, I expect I'll still be just as excited as I am now.
I'm not trying to be antagonistic or anything, but just pointing out that if people choose to stay home and celebrate as a family, they are not necessarily sinning (unless their reason is wrong, of course).
This year I'm putting verses on the outside of my gifts. I'm not trying to show off or boast, but I'm just pointing out that this year, in my effort to keep the focus on Christ, I've chosen to do something to point others to our Lord Jesus. If I didn't think about Christ and the reason for His coming, then celebrating would be pointless. The only reason to give presents, is to show love to others.
There are so many ways to worship the Lord on Christmas, even if you're not going to church.
However, if you just don't feel like getting out of bed early enough to travel 2 min. to church, then you might have a problem!
Yes, our family has been in that situation, with a looong drive to church before. We actually ended up switching churches because of it. But I remember missing church for those kinds of reasons.
ReplyDeleteQuit attacking me, Carrie, you antagonist! Just kidding :P
BTW, this is more directed to churches anyway.
ReplyDeleteHaha! Yeah...
ReplyDeleteVicki again.
ReplyDeleteYeah. Thank God for Constantine, essentially the "founder" of the Roman Catholic church.
Vicki. 53-year-old widow with no children. Christian. I don't use any of the identifiers listed under your profile selection, so I chose anonymous.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think of the biblical exhortation to see to widows in their distress? I got precious little of it.
PS I celebrate Thanksgiving every day.
ReplyDelete(Vicki again)
Vicki again.
ReplyDeleteSo, out of curiosity, do you have a Christmas tree in your home and what is atop it?
Hi Vicki, actually, I need to apologize for getting so defensive. I celebrate Christmas (obviously) but I don't have anything against people who do not. I understand (at least a little, I hope). I have friends that don't celebrate this holiday, and I respect your decision.
ReplyDeleteYes I do have a Christmas tree. I was just being a pill :P We have an angel on top of it.
the best way to sign your name is to use the "Name/Url". You don't have to enter a url. I leave the anonymous option to let people can sign their name at the bottom if they don't know that.
"What do you think of the biblical exhortation to see to widows in their distress? I got precious little of it."
This is a huge issue in the modern church sadly, and I am doing what I can in my family and in my community to fix this. I think that the key is getting the churches united for the cause of reforming the culture, and taking over that responsibility which the state has stolen from us. That is a major problem, and the state has systematically taken over the responsibilities of the church. To say it again in another way, the church needs to step up to the plate, and take our responsibilities seriously, and eventually, the state's programs will be unneeded. That is the plan, anyway. You will be in my prayers.
Lastly I am a little concerned of your attitude concerning the Roman Catholic Church... What is your motives behind that?