An open letter to my congregation:

It’s strange.

For centuries, almost even millennia, Christians would gather for worship on Christmas Day, regardless of on what day of the week it happened to fall that year.  It was a Feast Day, and that was, in itself, a reason to come to worship.

Somehow now, however, the American church seems to have a dilemma: Christmas happens to be on a Sunday this year.  How will we ever squeeze time to worship into our Christmas plans?

Ever wonder if maybe we have things a bit backwards?

Now, please, take this in the attitude it was intended.  I understand the need to travel to visit friends and family.  I understand that not all family plans are up to you.  I understand that sometimes being a part of a family means changing your schedule to fit theirs, even as they, on occasion, change to accommodate you.  And I understand that, sometimes, being present and part of a family gathering is the very means by which you are able to share the Good News with your family members.

I understand all of this, and so I’m not, by any means, writing this in an attempt to lay blame or imply guilt if you’re not at Southdale for worship on Sunday morning.  There’s nothing particularly holy about our property on 53rd Street or the building itself.  It’s the Church, not the church building that’s holy.

I would, however, as your pastor, like to ask two things of you:

1) Will you, please, make a priority out of worship this Christmas Sunday?
Wherever, whenever, however you choose, would you make sure that worship is a part of your Christmas celebration?

2) If it is up to you and you are able, would you find a way to invite your family to worship along with you?
Christmas, by it’s very nature, is a perfect opportunity to share the Good News about Jesus with those family members for whom you have been praying.  So invite them to worship with you.

If that means worshiping with us, we’d love to have you join us.  Our Christmas Worship this Sunday will be simple and Christ-centered. We’ll be singing some of your favorite Christmas carols.  I won’t be preaching in the way you’re used to hearing me.  I’ll simply be telling the Christmas story, though part of it you probably don’t think of when you think of the Christmas story.  And we will be
sharing in the Eucharist, taking Holy Communion together at the Lord’s Table.

And best of all? The story of Jesus is, by definition, evangelistic. If you bring your family along with you, they’ll hear the story of Jesus and will be invited to respond to His grace, to find their place together with His disciples at His table.

What better way to celebrate the Birth of Jesus than to witness the new birth of that friend you’ve been praying about?

Our service will begin promptly at 10:30 am Sunday.  We’d love to see you there.