Cancel Church Because Christmas Is On Sunday?
Why will I go to church this Sunday? Because it is Sunday -- simply put, that is enough reason. Sunday is the Lord's Day. Who can cancel Sunday? Who would presume to alter the plan of the Sovereign God for a day of rest and worship?
Has it not been so since the Creation: "And God rested" (Genesis 2:2). The Almighty "worked" for six days. He did a good work. He liked what He made. He took time to affirm it; to bless it; to enjoy it. Then He took off a day to celebrate.
Perhaps part of the reason why many work on Sunday is that they are not happy with what they have done the first six days of the week. They work Sunday hoping to make up for the shortcomings of the previous six days. If only they add one more day of labor they think they will perfect past failures.
Little do they realize that working on Sunday is a violation of divine order. It is pushing the human body, mind and spirit beyond the limits of its Maker.
In the 1960’s, Studebaker made a car so fast that it had a special label on the dashboard: "Do not roll down windows at speeds over 130 miles per hour." Folks said the rear window could be sucked right out when going 130+ miles per hour.
God put a sign on the dashboard of life: "Rest on the Seventh Day." Those who disregard the sign blow out the windows of their heart, soul, and mind.
I will go to church on Sunday because the greatest single event of all history will be celebrated this Sunday. God became flesh, as a Babe in the Manger: "and his Name shall be called Jesus (Emmanuel--God with us) Matthew 1:21-23.
Everything that means anything to me in all of life is singularly associated with and has its meaning in Jesus. All that I am and hope to be, all that means joy to me, and all that offers peace and hope are wrapped up in the "unspeakable gift" (2 Corinthians 9:15) of God's Son, Jesus Christ.
There is no dinner, present, or gathering that has any significance without Jesus Christ. He alone is the Central Figure of my life and of all Creation.
Oh, there will be gifts, family, food, singing, and celebration in our home. Yes, we do have a tree. Yes, Laila does have special recipes. Oh, Yes.
Oh, yes, we have children and grandchildren who will want to open presents. They will be curious about what is behind the wrapping.
We do not work our traditions against God's mandate. We establish, as Joshua did, God as primary, and then we work out the details of our family with the Lord being first (Joshua 24:15).
It is said some mega churches have cancelled services this Sunday because it is Christmas. Oddly, the world is shaking its head and wondering whether the Church is serious about the message of the Cross.
Can you imagine that we would tell our children, “Now children, we are a Christian family. Usually we go to church on Sunday. However, knowing that you have presents to open and toys to play with, we are not going to church today.” In essence we would be saying, “Children we go to church when there are not more important things to do like sleep in, open presents, and play with toys.” Children are not idiots: they get the real message.
We go to church. It is not an argument in our family. Laila and I grew up in the homes of pastors. We were taken to church summer and winter, rain and sunshine, snow and hail. It was our life—the center of our lives. When Laila and I married we were agreed: Jesus first. We are still agreed that Jesus is first. In fact, we are on an overnight celebration of our thirty-nine years of marriage, and much of our talk has been about the faithfulness of God and our determination to be faithful to Him.
We have parishioners from other countries who, regardless as to the day on which it falls, spend the whole of Christmas day in church. So, my dear friend, let it be clear with you that our destination this coming Sunday morning will be Covenant Church -- choir, Children's Church, nursery, and excellent music. All stops pulled out and nothing held back, we will rejoice with the two congregations as we honor Jesus.
Jesus is no longer the Babe in a manger, and the cross we lift up is without the body of Our Lord, for Jesus has risen from the grave. He is alive. He is beside the Father interceding for us.
We will do what every good and obedient child does: we will honor our Father. We will tell of His wondrous works. We will exalt Him. We will testify of the joy in our hearts that Jesus is the Savior of the world.
I look forward to seeing you this Christmas Sunday in worship!
Pastor Bare
John 3:16