Counter CHRISTMAS AT CYPRESSWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST

CHRISTMAS AT CYPRESSWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST

By Don Henderson, December 1, 2010  

RETURN TO CHRISTMAS PAGE

COME SING CHRISTMAS SONGS WITH US!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Yes, we do celebrate Christmas at Cypresswood Church of Christ. I know;  many in the Church of Christ will not like this. Let me explain our tradition. First of all, Christmas is a tradition. Make no mistake, Christmas was never mentioned in the bible as a celebration. We are neither commanded nor instructed to celebrate the birth of Christ. Actually, the only celebration that we are even given a hint of celebrating in Church, is the taking of the Lord's Supper. Christ himself, said, "As oft as you take of this, you do so in remembrance of me.." (paraphrased) So, as a tradition. we in the Church of Christ, celebrate the "death, burial, and resurrection" of Christ every Sunday. Much of this "tradition" has been has been carried out by Churches of Christ for the past 100 years or more. Are we commanded to have the Lord's Supper? It is suggested and implied. Let's face it, it is partly  tradition. And, a good one I might add.  It does exalt Christ in a very special way and weekly. The bread, which represents Christ's body, the wine, which represents his blood, shows our devotion and celebration of his dying on the cross and his resurrection which represents the new life which he gave to us. Our sins can be forgiven!! The death, burial and resurrection of Christ also ascribes to our baptism in which we are buried with Christ into the water and rise in newness of life, dead to our sin. Our life with Christ in baptism, symbolizes his death burial and resurrection.

When it comes to Christmas, since there is no hint of a command for the celebration of the birth or Christ, the Churches of Christ have in general said that it should not be practiced in the Church. If you think about it, there were weddings celebrated in the time of Christ, but do you remember a birthday being celebrated for anyone? Yes, we remember Herod's birthday party (Matt. 14:6)

Why not celebrate the greatest birth ever to occur; for the KING of KINGS, the birth of Christ!! So, once a year, as a tradition, the Cypresswood Church of Christ begins singing Christmas songs about one month before Christmas Day. I especially like this because in recent times the Secularists have tried to ban Christmas from everything. Much of what many people know about Christ, comes from Christmas songs. I love Christmas songs about our savior. Growing up as a child, every Church in our town, except the Church of Christ had Christmas programs. Back then we had Christmas programs in schools. Now, you can not even mention Christ without being "politically incorrect"!!! I say, "To Heck with being Politically Correct!!" ('scuse my language). The reason the Secularists do not want us to say "Merry Christmas" is because....? "Whose name is in Christmas?" Could that be the reason?

Some of the greatest composers in history have written and performed Christmas songs. Many of these songs are still sung today and celebrate not only the birth of Christ, but the true meaning of Christmas. The Magi came to visit the Christ Child, traveling from a great distance. They considered it a very significant birth. They even brought gifts!!

Looking at some of the songs we sing and you would not need to sing these at Christmas time:

Away in a Manger

Away in a manger no crib for a bed.

The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.

The stars in the sky looked down where he lay

The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

 

HOW COULD SINGING THIS IN CHURCH OFFEND ANYONE?

 

What Child is This?

 

What child is this, who, laid to rest, On Mary's lap is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing:

Haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe the son of Mary.

Again, what words are in this that would offend?

Naming some other songs that we sing:

All songs about Christ and all positive, uplifting and worshipping the King of Kings

So our small congregation at Cypresswood Church of Christ invites you to come join us as we sing some of the great Christmas songs. We sing without any instruments, and we sing loudly, and from the heart. Join us Sunday, November 28, 2010, and every Sunday throughout December.

We are located in the Domino Pizza shopping strip @ the corner of Bellchase and Aldine-Westfield

25424 Aldine-Westfield, Spring, TX.  77373

 

Go to our website: www.blakehart.com/cypresswoodbulletin.htm