by Chris Steele

December 23, 2007

Everyone of us needs to take courage and stand for truth and right. We live in a day and time where many do not stand for much of anything. Far too often people would rather stand in the middle of the road and be what we have come to know as "political correctness."

Many congregations of the Lord's church are "wanting to be like the nations around them" when it comes to religious holidays. They are mimicking man-made churches with their special services observing Christmas and Easter. Some even make a religious observance out of Thanksgiving and invite a variety of denominations to participate in their celebrations!

What has happened to our restoration roots, in "speaking where the Bible speaks and being silent where the Bible is silent?" How is it that we have come so far from the distinctiveness of our former days, to a time when some congregations do not look any different from any other religious group in town?

It takes every Christian, every member of the local church, everyone of us, studying God's all-sufficient word to make sure of what we believe and where we stand on religious holidays. Peter told us to "Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" (l Peter 3: 15). Paul added, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Colossians 3:17).

When it comes to religious holidays there are big differences between most churches of Christ and the denominations. Our neighbors and friends will ask us about what we do during the holidays. They may come to our services and wonder why we do not emphasize the birth of Christ or have a special Christmas service. This is a golden opportunity to teach what the Bible says about the matter.

During the holiday season we cannot allow the religious world (or sometimes our own brethren) to intimidate us into leaving the "old paths" (Jeremiah 6:16). While some may be involved in compromise, our service to God must remain in truth.