By Rev. Henry Green -- I have to admit that I am a bit upset about something I observed this past Christmas and New Year’s Day.  Some churches closed their doors because those days fell on Sunday.

Now, the Catholic Church and some others in the Christian tradition have us beat on this point!  They always have services on Christmas Day (no matter what day it falls).  For us, Christmas Eve is when we celebrate the birth of our Lord.  We only hold worship on Christmas Day if it falls on Sunday, which does not happen often.  Think about this for a moment, some churches cancelled services on Sunday due to Christmas!  The day we remember the birth of our Lord!  I like what someone said to me about this, “Let’s just cancel Easter Sunday.  People travel and spend time with the Easter Bunny on that day!  How about let’s just cancel Palm Sunday as well?  Why not Super Bowl Sunday?  People will be getting ready for the biggest party of the year.  Let’s just go ahead and cancel every Sunday service and close church altogether.”  That seems to be the message these irresponsible church leaders are sending by their actions.  Who comes up with this reasoning?  I am screaming right now on this page!!!  Is anyone out there listening?   

In the Jewish tradition, the most holy day of the year is the Jewish New Year, beginning with the observance of Rosh Hashanah and continuing to Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement).  Christianity emerged from the Jewish faith and shares in the significant spiritual values each New Year brings.  Since New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday, do we cancel church services because it conflicts with the parades and the football games (and I like football!)?  Do we miss out on the opportunity to offer confession, ask for God’s guidance, seek forgiveness, and commit to a new beginning for the New Year?  What example are we giving our children and our grandchildren?  What must they think?  Are the people who question the relevance of our faith right when some of the (so called) leaders in the Christian community cancel an opportunity to exercise the very values we claim are so important to building the faith?  Are we to think that when something becomes an inconvenience, Sunday on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, that we simply follow the path of least resistance? 

I hope no one thinks I am being obtuse.  If so, let me clear that up right away.  If I have offended some pastors who closed their churches on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, then I have accomplished my task!  Shame on you!  Your actions were lazy and served as an irresponsible example to the community of faith and to the community at large.  By the way, you can’t complain about the fake “taking Christ out of Christmas” thing if you close your church on Christmas Day, especially if it falls on Sunday!

Now, some people could not come to church on those days.  My indignation is not directed toward them and, of course, I completely understand when people cannot attend church every Sunday.  On the other hand, the pastor of a church and the ministerial staff of a church should have the doors open every Sunday!  The only excuse is a providential hindrance.  To say, “Well, Christmas is on Sunday this year, let’s not bother going to church today” is no excuse at all!

Church is not a perfect place and I am the perfect example of that truth!  Church is a place where we find mercy, healing, forgiveness, and grace.  It is the place we are called to stand for justice and to act with humility in the way we communicate and work for justice.  It is a place where friends help us through the darkest nights and celebrate our greatest joys.  Church is a place where we learn how best to share and receive God’s love.  These are but a few of the reasons why we need church and it is why we keep the doors to Heritage open EVERY SUNDAY!  In this New Year, let us renew our commitment to God and to one another. 

Happy New Year!       Henry Green, Pastor