December 2, 2016 (Friday)
Christmas Day is 23 days away. It will fall on a Sunday again this year, as it did in 2005 and 2011. We all know that, although Christmas is a religious holiday that celebrates the birth of Christ, Christmas Day is a family day. When it comes on a Sunday, then, it causes the church to adjust its schedule, so that we may celebrate the birth of Jesus with our Christian family and celebrate Christmas Day with our families as well. Most churches will adjust their schedules accordingly.
Both are important: church and family. The family is the basic institution of most, if not all, cultures throughout the world. It is the first institution created by God. The church came later. The family is the basic unit from which all other units arise. The church is a spiritual family created and owned by the Lord Jesus Christ. Both institutions function at their best when they operate according to the principles, rules and guidelines laid down by the Lord.
I don’t know yet what our church will do on Christmas Day this year. I know we will have worship services, but they may be held at a different hour than on other Sundays. We will get our heads together and announce the schedule soon.
People will be traveling over the holiday season and when Christmas Day dawns, it will find family members visiting each other. Some people will be spending the day in different locations, perhaps in other cities. We pray all will be safe and have a wonderful day together, expressing their love and devotion to one another on a day that celebrates God’s marvelous love for us all in Christ’s coming to earth to save us.
Stay tuned for further announcements.