You might disagree with me.

But this won’t be the first time I’ve held to a different perspective. Let me explain a little.

Sometimes, Christmas Day falls on a Sunday. I think it’s wonderful when it happens!

Did you know that it won’t happen again until the year 2033?!

Inevitably, though, some will ask what the local church should do? The question is usually from a good motive.

Someone will genuinely want to know why I believe we should host a Sunday worship service, regardless of the holiday, holy day, or happy day. So this is me sharing my convictions about why I believe Christians should have a corporate Sunday worship service, even if it falls on Christmas Day.

1) Christmas is about Christ.

To be totally transparent, the Bible does not give us the exact date of Christ’s birth. But we can rest in the fact that He has come. He is here. And we should worship the One who came to save us. So, Christmas is about the coming of Christ!

How could we miss this simple point? Christ is the first word and syllable in Christmas. And the second syllabic word is mas. It’s an ancient English word that describes believers coming together in celebration and communion. So Christmas as a word tells us that it’s about the corporate worship of Jesus Christ!

It’s not primarily about your family, children, or the gifts under the tree. I said what I said. Call me Mr. Grinch if you wish, or describe me as a Scrooge. Yes, my house has a Christmas tree, enough decor, and a few nicely wrapped gifts. Even though my children are grown, the Christmas season is still a time of family gatherings, festive meals, and the exchanging of gifts.

Those things are a blessed part of the season. And if you get to enjoy them, too, praise God. Maintain your thanks-living and help others see the Source of your blessings. But please don’t forget that Christmas is about Christ.

2) Christians corporately worship Christ on Sundays.

Sunday is the first day of the week. And in honor of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, we come alive and gather to worship Him every Sunday morning. It’s one thing to be forced by the crisis of inclement weather to close the church campus. But why would we choose to change our holy worship habit because of Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

Well, pastor, you know everyone won’t come. Yeah, “go fish.” Seriously, I face that challenge every Sunday of the year.

What about busy families with young children? The average worship service is only a tiny fraction of Sunday. But I will be respectful of the time for Christmas services. I’m okay with only having one brief worship service on Christmas Sunday. But I’ll never be okay with having none.

In my opinion, canceling Sundays during Christmas sends the wrong message. If any Sunday is important, then every Sunday of the Christmas season is important. Some would argue that Easter Sunday is more important. But without Christmas, there is no Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday.

Christians corporately worship Christ on Sundays. And this thought leads to the last personal conviction I’ll share with you.

3) Christians have a responsibility to point others to Christ.

We don’t get to lay down this responsibility simply because it’s inconvenient. Many people already forsake witnessing and worshipping on a routine basis throughout the calendar year. But this doesn’t negate our responsibility.

For decades I’ve heard what has become cliché. “Remember, Jesus is the reason for the season.” But posting a cute “remember” meme on social media isn’t enough. Christmas allows us to demonstrate our faith in Christ. I see Christmas as a built-in opportunity to move beyond sentimental remembrance into a holy demonstration by gathering to worship Christ during Christmas weekend.

By the first of the year, many Christians will make holy resolutions. Some will lament the state of our nation and the shape of the American church and convene times of prayer and fasting. And by Pentecost Sunday, believers will be crying out for revival and asking for “a move of God.” I’ll be in both groups and do my part for my family, community, and congregation by pointing to Christ on Christmas weekend.

The world is watching. Will you be worshipping? It’s the best way to point others to the salvation He came to bring.

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At this point, you could be thinking like this. Where’s the Scripture to back this up, pastor? I would have included many verses if this were meant to be a teaching sermon, but I didn’t take that approach for this simple reason. I’m simply sharing my personal convictions and not trying to write a lesson.

I’m not trying to imply that Christians who skip corporate worship gatherings on Christmas weekend as less obedient or less faithful than me. These are simply one pastor’s personal convictions and not a mandate on the subject.

This has nothing to do with whether or not you make it to Heaven. Because, after all, agreeing with me has never been the litmus test for your salvation.