I know, it sounds a bit odd doesn't it. Christmas is celebrated as the birthday of Jesus, and occasionally it falls on a Sunday, so why would churches be closed on this day?
I now know of five different churches, in three states, that will not have a live service but will have an on-line stream. The church I attend is one of them. I was asked my feelings on this, and while I really don't like being with people in general, there is this scripture that says not to forsake the gathering together.
Something happens when people fellowship together. The whole is certainly greater than the parts.
I have attended several different churches in the last 30ish years. Two of them had a Christmas morning service no matter what day it was. One church was "come as you are". My kids would wear pajamas. In most cases, the message consisted of reading some part of the Christmas story. One that I remember, it was the year that Vicki and I were married, actually a week before. The message was, that while Christmas is a holiday, that pretty much stops at the kitchen door. And as Christ came as a servant, should we be visitors to someones home, consider their labors and offer to help.
This year though, compared to 38 years ago, is different because of internet. So while churches are not going to be open, there will be an on-line service. Seems sanitized and impersonal.
I think about places around the world where people must gather in houses secretly or face persecution, and here in the US, where we still have this freedom, the choice is to not gather.
And this causes another problem for me personally. Two years ago, when the covid scam began, churches and businesses all closed down. I knew deep inside that it was all fake, that the church should not close but it did. I also made a decision later that year, that as long as I have a key, the church will be open on Sunday morning. So although there is not a scheduled service, I will be there from 10:00 - 11:00ish. I will have some old worship music on, maybe Ron Kenoly or Carman, and if anyone wants to come by and discuss what Christmas is all about, I'll be there.
