| CHRISTMAS AT CYPRESSWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST **Note, sadly we closed our doors in 2011 due to lack of money. Really miss our relations with our brother and sisters in Christ |
By Don Henderson, December 1, 2010
COME SING CHRISTMAS SONGS WITH US!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Sadly we know longer meet, each have gone to
other congregations when we closed our doors
MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Sadly we know longer meet, each have gone to
other congregations when we closed our doors
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.
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)
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?
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!!
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?
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:
Go tell it on the Mountains
I Wonder As I Wander
O Holy Night
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
Joy to the World
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
The First Noel
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Silent Night, Holy Night
O Come, All Ye Faithful
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
What Child is this?
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.
****Sadly we closed our doors and no longer meet. We each have gone to new congregations.
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.
****Sadly we closed our doors and no longer meet. We each have gone to new congregations.
Our time of service is 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. For a study in
Acts;
Acts;
11:00 a.m. - 12:15 Worship and singing.
We are located in the Domino Pizza shopping strip @ the
corner of Bellchase and Aldine-Westfield
corner of Bellchase and Aldine-Westfield
25424 Aldine-Westfield, Spring, TX. 77373
Go to our website:
www.blakehart.com/cypresswoodbulletin.htm
www.blakehart.com/cypresswoodbulletin.htm