Posted in Advent

Churches Closing for Christmas?

This is not the typical thing I blog about here.  I try to steer clear of politics and church battles but this one has my brain thinking about a few things.  For what it is worth here are my thoughts on the matter...

As I read and listened to the news that churches around the country were closing their doors my heart sunk.  There was announcement that they wanted to allow families to be together or that they were encouraging their congregants to serve in the community during that time.  I guess that is fine but my first thought was, 

"Why do you celebrate Christmas?" 

     "Is it for the presents, Santa and family time?" 

     "Is it for the opportunity to serve others?"  (this is a noble endeavor but God also calls us to keep the Sabbath holy and take time to worship Him)

     "Is it a time to gather with the larger family of Christ to worship the King?" 

     "What about a watch service to look forward to the time of Christ's second coming?"

As we celebrate Advent in our home and in our church we have made the decision to open our doors.  We believe that we come together to worship the King.  We come together as the family of God to fellowship over breakfast and then worship together.  We believe that the doors to our building should be open.  There should be a place in our community for those who want to be in a service on Christmas Day.  We should lift up the name of Jesus in our community in this act of service.  Do our pastor's mind?  Heavens NO!!!  This is what God has called them to, among other things.  They will be bringing the message of the baby coming as the Savior of the world.  They will be bringing the message that the Messiah will return.  They will be sharing salvation with those who walk in those doors.  They will be leading us in song and prayer and thanksgiving. 

Our past experience is that we often have people come that do not normally go to church.  They may come for the music - many of our congregants just enjoy singing the carols and hymns.  Some may come to find a place that is not lonely.  Some may step foot into the back to pray quietly.  Still others may just want a warm place to come in out of the cold.  They may come for an unknown reason to them.  The Holy Spirit may bring them to hear just what God has prepared in the mind and heart of our pastor that day. 

Can the presents wait?  Well, they have waited all month what is a few more hours?  Can the football game wait?  What about that dinner that MUST be prepared and served perfectly?  What about the pastor and his family?  Don't they need a day off?  I can assure you that my pastor will have the week off between Christmas and New Year's, which is standard in MOST churches in America, and he is TOTALLY fine with being in church on Sunday and preaching and "working" on Christmas.  This is ministry...

As a Christian what is more important?  Non-Christians do not even need to ask these questions - we should not even expect them to think about these things but for us it is a choice.  It all hinges on WHY we celebrate.  If you celebrate Santa and presents only then, by all means, stay home.  If you celebrate Advent my guess is you are already planning to be in church.  I am not trying to guilt anyone into going to church.  I am only weighing in on this very sticky issue this year.  I know many of our congregation are traveling and will not be in our midst Sunday.  I also know they will be in church with their families where they will be.  

As a ministry family we feel compelled to open our doors to those who wish to be there.  From a pastor's family's perspective there was no question in our mind that our doors would be open.  There was nothing to "consider".  We are Christians, Daddy is a pastor and we go to church - that is what we do.  There is no legalism in that statement, merely that the choice was made when we married that this would be what we do (we would never forsake the assembling of the body together) and there is no reason to change it for Christmas.

Just know that our doors will be open and our church kitchen and fellowship hall will be full of warmth and the smells of coffee and breakfast together with our "family" on Christmas morning.  Our sanctuary will be filled with the praises of His people.  Does that make us better than those who are not going to be in a church on Sunday?  No, it merely means that there is a place for anyone to go that wants to go.  It only means there is an open door where the Good News will be preached and a place where an opportunity for worship is available with fellow believers.   It means there is not a missed opportunity to reach out to hurting people that seek a refuge on this Christmas Day in the form of a church service or to those who do not know where else to go to be close to God.  (there are many people that feel the need to pray in church or go to a church to be close to God - I know that personal relationship brings you in the presence of God no matter where you are but some do not get that, yet - our doors are open for them)

We pray you will have a very Merry Christmas and that the close of your Advent season is filled with worship and thanksgiving and the excitement of the Second Coming of Christ.  If you show up on our church steps on Sunday we will have a cup of coffee for you, a hearty welcome, an open hand, a hug and a warm seat for you to enjoy the music, worship your Father and hear the word of God. 

We welcome you...

The lights will be on...

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