Yes, Christmas Day is a Sunday this year.
No, we are not canceling worship.
Here's our schedule of Christmas Events for the eight days before (and after) December 25. This is just one of many places where we'll be listing them.
Saturday, Dec. 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm. Christmas Pot-Luck at Schafer's Mill Rec Center. A-L bring veggie or salad, M-Z bring a dessert. Ham, Turkey, Juice, iced tea provided. Soda and alcohol are BYO.
Sunday, Dec. 18, 10am. Children's Christmas Pageant as part of 10am worship! All children welcome to participate...we'll even have a few extra costumes for the little ones. Invite your friends!
Sunday, Dec. 18, 1:30pm. Come caroling with us at Buckingham's choice retirement community! All ages welcome!
Saturday, December 24, 7pm (Note the later time). Celebrate the Word made flesh with a festive Christmas Eve worship, featuring special music and carols. Oh Come Let Us Adore Him!
Sunday, December 25 10am ONLY. Christmas Day worship. Come as you are...even pajamas are acceptable! A simple time of prayer, song, and Communion. A wonderful way to experience the true meaning of the day with your family.
Sunday, January 1st, 10am ONLY. Sunday worship with Communion. Start your new year off right, celebrating the Christ Child whose name is "God Saves"!
So there it is. Now, if you're like me, you may think of Christmas Day as a very special "family day", where you huddle close around the Christmas Tree, open gifts, listen to your favorite Christmas albums, maybe travel to be with relatives, but church is not a normal part of the routine. After all, didn't we all get dressed up and attend church the night before?
I want you to know I understand that, and a part of me is feeling exactly the same way. But my plan is still to get up early with our kids, open a few gifts, have a nice breakfast, head to worship, commune and sing our hearts out, then have a low-key day of family celebration. The morning will probably be pretty hectic. But it will teach my kids that even on Christmas Day (especially on Christmas Day) God wants some time with us, and we need time with God. Yes, Christmas Day is a family day. But God is part of our family. God is our Father. Jesus is our Brother. And especially on the one day a week God asks us to spend time with him, it is very appropriate to take some time with our "larger" family and celebrate together. Also, for visitors from out of town or folks who may be having a lonely Christmas morning, this is an important time for God's church to be "open for business", rain or shine.
Having said all that, please know that we are "Grace People" on Christmas Day just as on any other Sunday. We don't show up for worship trying to earn salvation. We don't gain more "points" with God by being there more often. We are saved by God's amazing grace, and that's true 365 days a year. So listen for the Holy Spirit, and celebrate that grace in the way you feel is best for yourself and your family. Come on Christmas Eve. Come on Christmas Day. Do both. Do neither. Unlike Santa, I will not be "making a list" or "checking it twice"! But know that like on any other day, you are welcome, you are loved, and that when we gather in Jesus' name, God's grace really is ALIVE!
God's blessings, and Merry Christmas!
-Pastor Tim
