Ridgell's Originals

 So Christmas is on Sunday this year.  Doesn't happen often so most families will only really deal with it maybe one, at the most two, times when their kids are young enough to have to sort out the question of what to do about church attendance Christmas morning.

I get how hard it is to stop the presents and play, get ready for church, and take out an hour or so to go to church.  

But here are a few thoughts to ponder.

How important is Santa, toys, and play?

How important is meeting with your church family?

How do you teach priorities to your children?

What are your priorities?

Does church have to be at the building with everyone else?

I am just never a fan of not doing church.  I don't think the message our children need is that Santa is more exciting, special, better than worshipping Jesus.

And I am not a fan of  on-line worship.  I think worship is by design a community of believers event. 

So personally, if going to church is not going to be your decision... then I suggest family church.  

And don't rush it.

I would perhaps read the Jesus story out of Luke 2.

Sing some CHRISTmas hymns together.

Have you family pray together.

Talk about baby Jesus that grew up to die so we could live with God forever.

Share communion in memory of that.

Maybe the baptized members of your family can tell the story of their decision to follow Jesus.  Share their baptism story.

So I don't know what your family will do Christmas morning.  Our kids are grown and our grands are about grown too so we will be in the assembly with our church family.

We will New Year's too and not just because I have to preach that morning.  

Living out your faith is not always easy.  Decisions have to be made.  

Just be sure that Christmas morning really is about Jesus.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM