How did Your Church Handle Christmas?
By Brian on Dec 25, 2005
Brookwood initially took a pretty aggressive stance toward Christmas (strongly denouncing churches that were choosing to not have services Christmas morning), then softened its stance the past couple weeks (presumably after getting complaints about the initial aggression, as a week after the pastor apologized for coming out so strongly against those churches). The past couple weeks there have been a lot of mentions of the Christmas morning service with invitations to attend but an unspoken acceptance that many would choose to not attend (and many others would be out of town). We didn’t go this morning (stayed home and worshiped together at home instead), but the plan was for Brookwood to have a one-hour “family service” with all kids in the service.
Strikingly, in spite of all the announcements and invitations to attend the Christmas morning service given over the past few weeks and during the Christmas Eve service (and a mailing with offering envelopes making it convenient for those who are traveling for the holidays to mail their tithes and offerings), I never heard any encouragement or advice for those who would choose to stay home Christmas morning. No exhortations from the pulpit to worship as a family if you stay home and not just dive into the presents, no inserts in the bulletin giving some suggested Bible readings for Christmas morning, no mailings with the real story of Santa Claus.
As for us, we got up this morning around 7:30 and gathered downstairs in the living room while Gretchen fed Caedon. I told the kids the story of Adam & Eve, the fall and sin. Then Moses and the passover, the bloody doorposts. The kids are familiar with those stories, so I encouraged them to participate and fill in the gaps I left out. Then Gretchen’s dad read Isaiah 53:1-7 (“But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him–our sins! He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed”). Then I read Luke 2:1-20 (“The angel said, ‘Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.’ At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.”) and talked about how God showed himself to the smelly shepherds first, not the rich powerful king. Then we opened stockings, cooked and ate breakfast, then started opening presents a little after 9.
What stance did your take about Christmas? What did your family do?
We went to our “home” church, with the parentals (also grandparentals to my kids.) That meant missing Christmas Sunday service at the church we attend now, but we can listen online later, and I wanted us to worship as a family today. It was awesome.
My preference would be to have a worship service on every Christmas day, not just the ones that fall on Sundays. (Both our churches always do Christmas Eve services.)
I appreciate the “house church” worship experience that you shared. It sounds cool. But for us, that was no more appropriate day to worship together in the “LORD’s house,” along with the many other believers there who are also part of our extended heavenly family.
P.S. I looked at your church’s web site. Looks like a really cool, Jesus-followin’ place. Blessings, Cara Michele
Cara Michele, "Chosen Fast" | Dec 25, 2005 | Reply
My church had an incredible Christmas Eve service that where we gathered with family and friends. We sang songs familiar and new. We celebrated the Saviors birth. We finished with an awesome candlelight rendition of Silent Night. Sunday Morning our pastor sat with the children around him and told the story of the candy cane and how that related to Jesus. I thought it was escpecially neat how he related Christmas to Easter through that story. It was a great morning of fellowship and celebration.
Sorry to hear your church did not…oh wait that is…I mean was your church. Too bad someone who is of the home church movement sees our church’s vision and you, a deacon could not.
Cody Mummau | Jan 10, 2006 | Reply
Let me follow that last statement of mine with this:
Some have read my comments and perceived some malice, a grudge, and animosity. I want to make it clear that I have none of these. Brian is my brother and I have a lot of love for him. We disagree a lot in some areas but that does nothing to change our relationship as family in Christ.
Brian if you took my words as such, I want to apologize in the public way in which they were written.
Cody Mummau | Jan 11, 2006 | Reply