Church Bulletin:
I must admit that I have a love hate relationship with the Christmas period.
What do I dislike?
* I dislike the glorious incarnation of the Son of God being reduced to sentimental dribble. Nor does it sit well with me when our Saviour is placed alongside Frosty the snowman, Santa Claus, and Rudolph the reindeer.
* I am uneasy with the church taking its cue from the world rather than the Bible. The early church didn’t celebrate Christmas and from what we know the practice is pagan in origin.
* I don’t like the term “Christmas carols” being used of hymns which should be sung all year round. And sorry folks, it does nothing for me when the latest “X-Factor” winner sings Amazing Grace at the Domain.
* I cringe when something so profound, so rich and so sacred is used for commercialization and self-indulgence.
What do I like?
* Even though it comes with baggage, Christmas does bring into view the incarnation. I never tire of the amazing story of Christ’s birth.
* Christmas creates opportunity to speak to unbelievers about the Gospel. Any opportunity to testify to the truth is a good thing.
* I enjoy giving presents to my family. My children receive gifts whether they have been “naughty or nice” because I love them and this reflects the grace of God to us all. I am also quite partial to opening gifts myself!
* It provides a nice way to end the year and unwind with holidays. It also brings people together who through busyness find it difficult to make time to see one another.
My own view is that we have liberty of conscience when it comes to Christmas. As a church we don’t set aside a special service (nor for Easter) because we feel it is important to be directed by scripture when it comes to matters of worship. What you do in the privacy of your own home is your business. In 1 Corinthians 11 Paul draws a line between what is permissible in one’s personal dwelling and how we conduct ourselves in the church. In Romans 14 he states that some people esteem a particular day while others do not. Each one is to be convinced in their own mind. The point being, we have liberty of conscience when it comes to matters of private practice.
As it turns out Christmas Day falls on the Lord’s Day this year. We will do what we do every week – by God’s grace seek to worship Him; thankful for the manger and thankful for the cross. At the end of the service I intend to return home, have smoked ham for lunch and open presents with my family. Christmas may be a thorny issue for some of us, yet beyond the irritations it is not without its blessings and in this we can rejoice.
Andrew