Somewhere around 1962, I think, there was a big enough snow on a Sunday in Lee County, VA and my parents opted to miss church. I suggested we have “church at home.” That amounted to the three of us getting around the piano and singing a few hymns. Well, mother and I singing a few hymns. Dad was not known for singing! I suspect we had a prayer and read scripture but I don’t remember. Only the singing. Then I went off and played and I think they drank more coffee!
This coming Sunday December 18 we will sing a lot and have our respective Christmas programs at each church. Then….comes December 25. On a Sunday. A challenge for many with issues of travel, meals, and children. Some will attend Christmas Day worship and others will not either by choice or by circumstance. Some will let Christmas Eve services be their Christmas Day worship. Some may attend services with family in other churches at a distance.
On the other hand, however, all can gather at some point in homes and remember The Reason For the Season. Keeping Christ in Christmas is not so much a matter of worship location other than in the heart and with others and for others.
In some ways, this “unusual” combination of Christmas Day and Sunday is a blessing. There now has to be some intentional effort to say and demonstrate to one another outside the church building, “we worship the Christ child born this day in Bethlehem.” It cannot be simply a matter of routine and habit in this year of 2016.
Of course, the churches will be open and worshiping on December 25th. Some will not be traveling and some will not be gathering in the morning for presents and breakfast with family from here and yon. Many will be eager to join with others in Sunday worship at the church building. Some who tend to attend ONLY at Christmas and Easter will sorely miss the opportunity if the doors were closed!!
Again, I want to say that this 2016 Christmas Day is a grand moment to be more thoughtful about the meaning of Christmas wherever you are at 9:30 and 11:00a!! You can still come to Christ and say “Welcome and Thank You!” Wherever you are and whoever you are with!
And the final Christmas obligation must be to “rejoice and be glad, for unto us a Savior is born!” You can do that most anywhere!
See you soon! Enjoy!
Prayers and Merry Christmas!
Pastor Barry