Worship entirely called for on Christmas Day

Christians have themselves to thank for the latest Christmas controversy.

In years past, we’ve rightly bemoaned tireless efforts to remove Nativity scenes from shopping malls, Christmas hymns from school programs and even the word Christmas itself from public “holiday” displays.

Those battles rage today more than ever.

But we’ve provided the stick now delivering the latest beating to our faith through decisions by some churches to celebrate Christ’s birth by closing their doors.

Some of America’s fastest-growing evangelical churches have canceled Sunday worship services. These churches don’t want to compete with family traditions of opening presents around the tree Christmas morning.

Regrettably, they send a mixed message to the “unchurched” crowd about what Christmas is really about. And they’ve helped all of us see just how much the culture is influencing Christianity – for the worse.

One caveat before we get too far into this: The Bible makes it clear that Christians are not bound by legalistic observances and ought not get too hung up on whether they worship on a Friday or Saturday so they can stay home Christmas morning.

The Scriptures compel us to avoid “disputes over doubtful things” (Romans 14:1). We’re not to judge one another when it comes to disagreements over relatively small matters, including what day we set aside for corporate worship.

Instead, “let each be fully convinced in his own mind” (Romans 14:5).

The only opinion that ultimately matters here is that of God: “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore, let us not judge one another anymore.” (Romans 12:12-13).

But this blessed liberty we have in Christ – freedom from ritual for ritual’s sake – is to be subordinate to how our actions influence others.

Our liberty to live as the Holy Spirit guides us should not be “a stumbling block” for others. The fact that major media outlets have zeroed in on and spun the churches-cancel-Christmas story suggests there is much stumbling going on this season, both inside and outside the church.

Chicago’s Willow Creek Community Church, Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas, and other so-called mega churches “have decided it’s not worth it to marshal the resources to hold services on Christmas Sunday,” according to Time magazine.

The magazine’s story, parroted in various forms by CNN, Fox News and others, is accompanied by a cartoon depicting a church with a giant gift tag on its steeple that reads: “Closed.”

Intended or not, that’s the message these churches have communicated. By canceling Sunday services, the community – and a church’s own congregation – gets the notion that personal and family conveniences are more important than genuine worship.

Never mind that these churches may have multiple Christmas Eve services and myriad programs aimed at helping families honor Christ at home Christmas morning. What the public sees, and will remember, is the odd compromise of a Christian church canceling worship on the very day set aside to remember its founder’s birth.

The move defines irony.

It also highlights what a slippery slope we’re on when we try to package our churches in terms of what people want. Churches don’t exist primarily to cater to personal preferences, but to exalt Christ, equip believers and share the gospel.

It’s no coincidence to me that some of the nation’s fastest-growing evangelical churches are also those that pay more attention to marketing and organizational growth rather than the basic transforming message of salvation through faith in Christ. The result is tragic: churches that are a mile wide in terms of programs and activities but an inch deep in terms of members’ personal relationship with their Creator.

I have to agree with Ben Witherington, a theologian from Asbury Seminar in Kentucky, who also laments closed church doors on Christmas Day.

“Our society is narcissistic enough,” Witherington told Time. “We don’t need to encourage more me-focused behavior.”

As a pastor, I can empathize with a church leader not wanting to “marshal the resources” needed for an activity that may not be well-attended. But as a sinner saved by grace, I am so thankful that our God marshaled the necessary resources to send his son into this world to die in our stead, to graciously give us what we could not possibly attain another way: eternal salvation.

Maybe I’m missing something here, but it seems reasonable that worshiping this gracious God on the very day we celebrate Jesus’ birth might be appropriate!

And there’s the rub. What is appropriate is not always convenient. Doing what is right so often is costly.

I don’t know what your plans are for Christmas morning. But I pray you’ll consider following the pattern set by the Magi on that very first Christmas.

“… They rejoiced with exceedingly great joy… and fell down and worshiped Him” (Matthew 2:10-11).