Let us remember the words of Jesus in John
4:23-24. In verse 23 He said:
. . . the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in
truth . . . .
In verse 24 He said:
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit
and in truth.
Let us also keep in mind that each true congregation of the Lord is
made up of individual members who are saved, baptized, and joined together as the body of
Christ in a certain location or area with the purpose and charge of continuing His work on
earth.
This body does not dissolve or cease to exist at the last
"amen" on Sunday night and then mystically reconstitute at the next meeting. It
is still a body on Monday, Tuesday, and every day. A member or members cannot live an
unholy or disobedient life at home, at work, at school, or at play without having a
harmful effect on the body it is a part of.
Since the religious holidays have such an influence and impact, it
seems sensible to me that we should want to know and do God's will and follow His
instructions for us in regard to them.
The celebrations and observance of "Christmas" and
"Easter" are undoubtedly the most esteemed and enthusiastically participated in.
At "Easter" we often see community wide and inter-denominational participation
in "holy week" observances and "sunrise services" and such things. At
"Christmas" time we will see "church houses" packed beyond capacity
and folks "goin' early to get a good seat" for "Christmas" programs.
At that time of year, many homes where the Bible is never opened suddenly become
traffic-stopping religious displays. Many promote the holiday as a great opportunity to
"share Christ with the world." Let us ask, "What is proper -- what is
acceptable to God regarding our participation in and observance of these holidays?"