Wednesday, December 07, 2005

No Church for Christmas

Why Fiction Matters: No Church for Christmas
This Christmas, no prayers will be said in several megachurches around the country. Even though the holiday falls this year on a Sunday, when churches normally host thousands for worship, pastors are canceling services, anticipating low attendance on what they call a family day.
 --By RACHEL ZOLL, AP Religion Writer
 
Are you kidding me? Megachurches aren't holding service on Christmas, because of low attendance? Is that an oxymoron--megachurch/big attendance?
These past few months I've tried to stay clear of ranting about christian writing, but I have to write about American Christian life.
 
Is that why the last three years I've been heading to Christmas Mass? Our church has both a Christmas Eve, and a Christmas service and Advent services all month, but I like taking Selah to Christmas Mass, because I want her to understand that Christmas is a Holy Day not a holiday. And I like the ritual part of it. Plus cathedrals are beautiful at Christmas time.

http://www.anicursor.com/koeln_2842.jpg

Nativity Scene at Koeln Cathedral(my senior thesis topic)

But, Lord, have mercy...churches not open for Christmas is a clear indicator that people's souls aren't being fed the right thing all year long.
 
Now let's take a look at our writing...Are our works meeting a market greed or feeding a soul's need? Let's talk about it here. Is your church open for Christmas?
 
 
 
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4 comments:

La Monica said...

My church, New Life Baptist Church in Lithonia, GA, will be open on
Christmas day as well as Christmas Eve from 6 pm - 10 pm for anyone who'd like to come and just pray at the altar or sit in the pew and reflect on our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.

However, once again my hubby and I are going to be travelling to visit our family so we're going to miss out on the festivities, and quite frankly I miss being at my own church on Christmas Day. Although I've never had the opportunity to do so in my entire adult life.

I've just decided that I don't care who may or may not be upset, but we SHALL be at home next year for Christmas!!

Unknown said...

child please, that's totally different than the church closing its doors. :) you're so funny. i haven't been to new life in a minute. saint phillip will be praising. I think the megachurches wil be closing. have you voted for my short at infuze?

Anonymous said...

Dee - You know you can't lump all megachurches into one category. That's like saying "all policemen" are something or all "women" are something.
I attend a megachurch (New Birth) and we're still having service.

Unknown said...

Don't get it twisted, Tia. How's the baby? :)

I'm not lumping all megachurches that's why i asked "is your church open for service?"

Saint Philip isn't as large as New Birth, but it is the largest AME church in the world. Not only are we holding service, but we are also celebrating Advent. So it would be hypocritical for me to lump all megachurches since I belong to a nice sized church. And I believe because I belong to a megachurch, I can say what I say, and the fact that I've reported on at least 100 churches in Georgia, I can back it up.

Moreover, when Associated Press, CNN, and Christianity Today all report that numerous megachurches are closing their doors for Christmas, that's questionable. Really...for those churches, who are not having services their prioritize are very off. And they need a swift kick in the chancel rail.

You know they need the boot, Tia. :)


Thanks for commenting.

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