I am not Christian (nor anything else except reasonable). In our increasingly diverse nation, which includes many with no religious convictions or affiliations, this holiday season should provide a "big tent". Many of the symbols that many of us observe are pagan, drawn from the times when the early Christians preempted the pagan observance of the winter solstice. It really shouldn't matter that much, as anyone that wants to go to a church, temple, oakgrove or anyplace else can do so.

I am grateful that many churches are having worship services this Christmas Sunday. I wonder if they will be having services on Christmas MONDAY, 2006?

Those cancelling services on Christmas Sunday can offer whatever excuses they want...however...it is obvious that it is hypocritical. They saythey want to be with the family so church can wait. Have they ever considered changing their family traditions for Christ. Children practice what they are taught. This is not about family...it is about baby boomers who "want it their way". No doubt some of these churches have been the most vocal about the world putting "Christ back in Christmas". Very sad statement about the shallowness of the church in America. First, it was one service for a football game, now it is a whole Sunday for a holiday...no wonder so many have just given up on the church.

This is very sad. The entire reason of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Where is there a better place to celebrate His birth but in a church. It is unfortunate that the mega churches continue to feed the dumbing of America by making Christianity a "feel good" religion--without any effort on the person's part.

Very sad!

So, its all about money! what a materialistic world! And who cant afford it? The Churches in The United States of America - the most powerful nation on the face of the earth. This is indeed a lame excuse. And even if this is true( which I find it hard to believe), perhaps some of the money that is spent on other countries, just for one day, can be diverted to these churches, so that they can remain open on a Great Day such as CHRISTMAS. Charity begins at home.

Jesus wasnt even technically 'born' on December 25, although it is the day we elevate as Christmas. I dont think it matters if the church is closed on this one sunday morning...would it be so terrible to use that day as a time to worship God in an intimate family setting anyway?

I cannot fathom how anyone can experience Christian fellowship in a mega church with a congregation in the thousands. Because their focus is on the cost of producing a service verus the financial return, perhaps it's just as well they close for Christ's birthday.

Thank God for all the Churches, and their congregations that remember that Christ is the reason for the season.

Perhaps it's time Christians started to look at the true meaning behind their mega churches & find a smaller, more Christ like, congregation.

I find it sad that so many do not realize that spenind time with their family on Christmas should include their church family as well. Our church will be having one service Christmas day, it will be a family service as there will not be any nursery or childcare services prvovided. This will be a time to be together as a family within our church to give thanks and praise for Jesus' birth, the entire reason we celebrate Christmas. I find it somewhat hypocritical to find churches closing on the one day a year the doors shoudl be open wide to proclaim that our Savior was born, died, and rose again!

I don't find anything wrong with churches being closed on Christmas Day. I am a Christian and I attend church twice a week on Wednesday and Saturday. My church located in the Chicago area will not being holding service on Christmas Day but instead are holding the Christmas service on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, twice on Friday and three times on Christmas Eve. Instead of focusing on the church not holding service Christmas Day try focusing on the many other people who may not attend church but only on Christmas and Easter. That to me is the sad thing and what we really should be concerned about.

it is a sad day, and that is not a fact, there are more and more each year who won't take notice. The fact that the argument of holiday tree vs christmas tree is getting more heated each year rings to that tune. I have not attended church in ages, but know that religion drove this holiday event national, now we choose to take it as our own. Christmas has been pirated and the internet had nothing to do with it....Churches ring to this tune, when they themselves created and supported their organization as a business(?), depending on such functions to operate seems a bit of a distraction to the neccesseties of worship. They don't want responsibility, then as each year passes fewer and fewer will stand up and call out the true meaning of christmas as we all continue in this rather orderly procession through the holidays.

I would have to disagree, Most churches offer a christmas eve service to mark the birth. The good lord above wants us to worship him and give him praise in ALL things we do! Going to church on saturday night vs. sunday I don't think is a problem with god. There is more of a problem with those that only attend christmas eve and easter services than not holding church on christmas day. I don't view it as making it secular I view it as allowing for families to spend time with each other not feeling pressured that they have to attend!

Christians WAKE UP, do you not know the hour is near? The muslims are laughing as well as mormons and various other faiths. Where is your faith?? The world?What happened to "you shall Love The Lord Thy God with ALL your heart and Strength?
We are having worship. This is a wake-up call to all Christians to pray for the Bride of Christ to return to her Husband.

That's right, my mega-church in the Chicago area will not have a service on Sunday, Christmas Day. It will, however, be open for thousands of true believers (that's right, from just one church!) on the Thursday night before. Sunday morning services at mega-churches are intended to reach the unchurched (seekers). Believers worship mid-week. For those familiar with this seeker model, being 'closed' on Christmas Day isn't surprising. What shocks me is when fellow Christians 'throw stones' at other believers. WWJD?

Closing churches for Christmas is equivalent to having a party for Jesus and not inviting him because He didn't make the A-list.

I agree that I am shocked and saddened that many churches are not having regular Sunday Services. Do we go to church for convenience in our busy party/gift opening frenzy or are we celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ? I am pleased to say that my little congregation in Denver, CO is having a service on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!

As a member of the United Methodist church I am sure that most smaller churches in small communities will be opened and having church. After all, this is what Christmas is about. Most really devoted Christiams want to be in church on Christmas. I think that this is one of the reasons that we have so many problems in our country today is because we have lost Christ and we are trying to have a celebration that is about His birth without including Him. Remember Jesus is the reason for the season. Merry Christmas. See you in Church.

If people are going to be angry, they should direct their anger at the appropriate target - the churches who decided it wasn't financially advantageous to remain open for services on Christmas. I read this story almost two weeks ago, and was flabbergasted that places of worship openly acknowledged that money was the deciding factor in whether their parishioners would be able to worship in their church on Christmas Day.

I can't speak for mega church practice, but I am happy to say that in the north west corner of Bergen County, NJ - the Saddle River Reformed Church (est. 1784) worshipping in the Old Stone Church, Upper Saddle River (built in 1819) will have Christmas Eve services at 7:30 PM and 11:00 PM. We will also have Christmas Day worship at 10:00 AM.

While we do not use power point and the sanctuary sound system is "unplugged acoustic," we have a loving and faithful congregation that is open and inclusive. All are welcome to attend - particularly our friends from the mega churches closed on Christmas Day.

The churches closing for Christmas shows just how much they really love God. At a time when God's house should be full of people thanking Him for Jesus and His blessings they choose to ignore Him. They have all abandoned God. God is bringing out the whole truth of how churches really feel about Him. The Bible says the love of the church will grow cold. That time has arrived.