well put..
So his speech was in response to a parishoner's request to close on Sunday, I take it? If so, good for him.
Wait...I thought Christmas was this Sunday.
Sounds to me that your pastor is just taking the opportunity to say that his "church" is better than others.
Why doesn't he just buy some TV/radio time and say it?
"A holy day isn't about us; it's about Him. The fact that Christmas falls on a Sunday this year is causing a clash between the two."
Just curious here. It seems a whole lot of Christians don't have very much faith in the good intentions of the churches they go to. It's like they are making their pastors of those churches who have chosen to have Saturday evening services rather than Sunday ones the enemy, and are accusing them of being of little faith because of one of the occasional times that Christmas happens to fall on Sunday they close.
Catholic churches have less of a problem with staying open, as their priests aren't married, and therefore don't have little ones waking up in the morning to run to the tree to look for their presents. And that too is a Christmas tradition, and has been for years. I grew up with barely being able to contain myself on Christmas morning, before finally having my parents wake up and let us go to the tree. And there is absolutely nothing wrong at all with this. I suspect most Freepers grew up with the same traditions as I did. So, this year it falls on Sunday, and all of a sudden everyone's pants are in a bunch. Would you have the same reaction if Christmas fell on a Wednesday? I doubt it, because I haven't heard any prior reactions like this year about churches being open or closed on Christmas Day.
I think this is a phoney indignation on many people's part. Maybe they think it enhances their "Christianity" to take this stand, but to me it just makes them look petty. And I bet their Pastors of some of these churches that chose to close that day to give their workers and their families the day off to celebrate Christmas at home with their children think so too. Bah humbug on puffed up, "I'm holier than thou" Christians with lousy attitude towards their fellow Christians. So, the many are to bow to the few, it seems. Well, I for one, hope these churches continue with their plans, give a day off to their church workers, and ignore the few who would make a big something out of a little nothing. You say it "isn't about us". I think it is exactly that; it's all about you, and how "holy" you are in comparison to your fellow Christians who aren't good enough for your tastes. Hope you enjoy wallowing in your own self rightiousness.