I heard a report that several mega-churches will not be having Christmas church services this year (December 25, 2005) because Christmas day falls on a Sunday. The report stated that this was due to the fact that 11 years ago, when this happened, the multi-thousand seated complexes were virtually empty.

If this was the case, it is sad on several fronts:

First, when self-proclaimed Christians put anything ahead of worshiping Christ (on Christmas day or any day) their character and sincerity comes in to question. Family is not as important as Christ to those who genuinely love Him. When Christ is first, family is raised to a higher level and receives God's best.

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26

Secondly, Pastors of large congregations that won't have services for the few due to the absence of the many are deceived. A message to one is just as important as a message to thousands; Christ demonstrated this. Christ was born to save sinners, and died for them to fulfill that promise. Consider: Christ went to the cross for one individual; you.

• could it be a money issue for mega-churches?
• could it be we don't know the significance of Emmanuel?
• could it be that there are no sinners on Christmas day?

Additionally, in times like these, when we are in moral decline, and many are without God and hope; scripture instructs followers not to neglect fellowship.

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:25

The Church (all who genuinely believe) will be in church on Sunday. In a local church or in private worship which is in the heart. A Pastor of one of the mega-churches stated that they look at it as thousands of little gatherings away from the complex. The question is: Are they genuine, and do they love Christ because He first loved?

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:9




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