A VERY STRANGE QUESTION
People seem surprised that Christmas Day is on Sunday this year. Even some so called religious people do not seem to know exactly how they should handle this. Some will cancel their services, or abbreviate them to almost nothing. Others will make still other changes. Obviously this is not the first time our calendar has been this way. Other years when Christmas Day was on Sunday include, 1910, 1921, 1927, 1938, 1949, 1955, 1966, 1977, 1983, 1994, 2005 and now 2011. If the world continues it will happen again in 2022, 2033 and 2039. If you should live till 2050 you will also again see Christmas Day on Sunday. A few days ago a lady asked me a very strange question. She asked, "Will the Walnut Street Church of Christ have services on Christmas Sunday?" We certainly will have services as we normally do. This will provide us with a wonderful opportunity to say something very important to our children and to the world.
On Sunday December 25th (Christian Day) by having our Sunday worship as usual we can reaffirm before our children and before the world our faith in God. God is more important than a few gifts we might give to each other. God is more important than using Sunday to play with a few new gadgets or toys. God is even more important than having a big meal with our family. Families are important, but God must be first. God is the self-existent, completely perfect and totally good being, who created and preserves all of us. "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." (Genesis 1:27) On Sunday December 25th, Christmas Day, we have the opportunity to say to our children and to the world, "There is a God in Heaven" and we honor Him today with our worship that is in spirit and in truth!
On Sunday December 25th (Christian Day) by having our Sunday worship as usual we can reaffirm before our children and before the world our faith that Jesus is the Son of God. God blessed all nations through the seed of Abraham. (Galatians 3:8) These blessings came in and through Jesus. "Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, 'And to seeds,' as of many, but as of one, 'And to your Seed,' who is Christ." (Galatians 3:16) Peter acknowledged Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of God. (John 6:69) Those who have an honest heart will know that Jesus is the Son of God and will obey Him as "Savior." On Sunday December 25th, (Christmas Day) we have the opportunity to say to our children and to the world that Jesus is the Son of God and He is most important.
On Sunday December 25th (Christian Day) by having our Sunday worship as usual we can reaffirm before our children and before the world how we value the precious blood of Jesus. Man has a sin problem. Sin has separates man from God. (Isaiah 59:1-2) The only answer to the sin problem is the precious blood of Jesus. "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) The gospel is the great news that Christ suffered sin's penalty in man's place. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) The only ground for man’s forgiveness is Jesus' death! On Sunday December 25th, (Christmas Day) we, by our worship and service to God will tell our children and we will tell the world that the blood of Jesus is most precious and most important.
On Sunday December 25th (Christian Day) by having our Sunday worship as usual we can reaffirm before our children and before the world what Christianity can do for you. The toys, clothes and gadgets of Christmas might bring you a little Joy. But Christianity had done more for our world than anything else ever could or will do. Christianity will bring you salvation from past sins. Jesus said, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:16.) Christianity opens many doors to do good for others. (Galatians 6:10) Christianity is the way of life which will lead to heaven. The end of this life is peace, joy and the hope of heaven. By having our Sunday worship as commanded by God even on Christmas day we are saying to the world, "Look what Christianity can do for you!"
In order to be saved God requires these simple things: You must hear and learn the truth (Romans 10:17), Believe in God and in Christ as the Son of God (Hebrews 11:6), Repent of all sins Luke 13:3, Confess Christ as the Son of God (Matthew 10:32), and Be baptized to be save. (Mark 16:16) Jesus said, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." (John 12:32) Let us lift Jesus up on Sunday, December 25th and also on every other day of our life. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)
By Charles Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, 306 Walnut Street,
Greenville, Alabama 36037 USA