Holidays

  • Christmas Sunday — Church?

    Christmas Sunday Nope

    Did you take your kids to church on Christmas Sunday?

    When I checked the calendar and saw that Christmas was on a Sunday this year, I told Andy, “Well, I’m not planning to go to church on Christmas. We are going the night before, on Christmas Eve, right?”

    He said, “I want to go on Christmas too.”

    I was stunned. I had to think for a bit about what it was that made me anxious about it … about dragging the kids out of the house when all they want to do is eat a nice breakfast, do a short, sweet Bible time, and play with their new toys–just like every other Christmas morning.

    I want to think that Christmas morning at home is sacred as well.

    Does Christmas morning have to happen in a church sanctuary just because it’s Sunday? Can Christmas morning at home be sacred too? Am I being … selfish?

    Andy didn’t understand why I got all nervous. I didn’t understand why, either, until I thought about it for a few minutes.

    IDEALLY, CHRISTMAS MORNING SHOULD NOT BE STRESSFUL … Right?

    You see, my sisters and I will tell you that we do not have good memories of getting to church, especially on holidays. It wasn’t CHURCH that was the problem, it was the anxiety of getting ready and getting to church on time.

    Please don’t take this the wrong way. I know my mom and dad had the best intentions. I love that they love Jesus and wanted to be at church every Sunday. They were trying to do the right thing and bring honor and glory to God by having us attend church as a family.

    But it was stressful.

    What will your kids remember?

    I wanted to honor Andy and what he wanted to do. I really did.

    So we attended church on Christmas Eve … but on Christmas morning, I just couldn’t do it after getting only a few hours of sleep.

    Andy ended up taking our oldest child to church Christmas morning. He said it was a lovely service, and that I really missed out. That made me sad.

    He was definitely OK with my decision to stay home with the other four kids, even though he wished we came too.

    But you know what? I am a bit precarious right now, and I really didn’t need to stress over going to church on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

    I don’t think it’s a bad idea to choose either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to attend church. I don’t think it’s necessary to do both. What do you think? Should I feel bad for not going?

    What did you do this year? Did you attend church on Christmas Eve and Christmas Sunday morning, even if you have young kids? Do you have good or bad memories of going to church on Christmas morning when you were younger?

    Please share!

    Christmas Sunday