The answer to this question has undergone a dramatic shift in the past few decades. For hundreds of years the answer was a quick and easy “church holiday.” What else could celebrating the birth of our Savior be? Of course, there were family celebrations that often accompanied Christmas church celebrations, but these were understood to be secondary.
However, as surely all of us now recognize, the increased emphasis on family gift-giving and the overall decreased cultural acceptance of church participation has led to a quiet, but devastating swap. First the nuclear family rose to the #1 spot on the priority list for Christmas celebrations, then the church fell from #2 to basically dropping entirely off the charts all together. For many of the older generations, Christmas (along with Easter) was considered one of the most important days of the year to attend church (even if you skipped almost all the other days). However, for the younger generations, the idea of attending church on Christmas now sounds terribly inconvenient. It’s becoming normal, even amongst sincere Christians, to participate in worship on most days except Christmas.
What is fascinating about this shift is that it hasn’t produced the feelings and enjoyment of Christmas that it promised. Rather than Christmas celebrations being more fun and meaningful because they are no longer interrupted by “having to go to church,” many people are finding their Christmas celebrations empty and devoid of real meaning. Aside from ordering each other gifts online, eating a ton of unhealthy food, arguing about politics, and watching TV together… what is this even about? What is the point?
One of the most common refrains from Christians who are discouraged by the commercialization of Christmas is, “How do we keep Christ in Christmas?” The answer need not be a mystery - or rather, the answer lies in returning to the mystery. The best possible way we can enjoy the rich meaning and purpose of Christmas, the highest-impact thing we could do to “keep Christ in Christmas,” is simply to worship the Lord Jesus with our church family. Let’s gather together to wonder at the mystery of the incarnation - God has become a man. What a marvelous mystery this is!
Friends, if you are physically able, let’s gather together for worship on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We can do this and celebrate with our families - and I think we will find that each enriches the other. I’ll see you there.
In the Father’s love,
