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Ronnie Leonard mentioned to me a sign at a denomination’s building a few weeks ago. They were cancelling their Sunday, December 24th services, due to it being Christmas Eve. Does this seem ironic to anyone else? They believe December 25th is the Birthday of Jesus (which the Bible does not teach). Last year a lot of churches cancelled their Sunday services because it was December 25th. Their explanation was, they wanted to give more time for families to be together and getting out on Sunday morning to go to worship would be hard on some people. I can just hear people this year say the same thing about Christmas Eve being a time for families.

However, it would seem that if one believed in December 25th being the Birthday of Jesus, they would actually want to come and worship on that day or they day before. Apparently they consider worshipping God a hindrance and nuisance on such occasions. Which brings to mind what Jesus said in Matthew 15.8-9, "These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me teaching as doctrines the commandments of men."

The belief that December 25th is Christ’s birthday is based on human tradition and not God’s word. Yet they place that above assembling on the first day of the week, (Acts 20.7; 1 Corinthians 16.1-2; Hebrews 10.25), which the Bible teaches us to do. If this does not meet the criteria of vain worship, I do not know what would.

Gerald Ford passed away a few days ago. At the time of this writing they are conducting his funeral. Richard Nixon selected Senator Ford to take over the vice presidency when Spiro Agnew resigned due to a scandal. Later on Nixon became the first president to resign, thrusting Gerald Ford into the Presidency. He pardoned Nixon for any infractions committed in connection with the Watergate break in and cover up.

At first the public reaction was negative. Ford probably lost the 1976 election to Jimmy Carter because of his decision to pardon Nixon. Now he is heralded as doing the right thing. Often the right "thing" is not popular. Just as standing up and calling sin, sin is not popular but it is the right thing to do.

Later on Ford said Nixon accepting the pardon proved his guilt. A pardon is not necessary unless there has been some transgression committed. God has offered us a pardon in the blood of Jesus, Ephesians 1.7; Acts 2.38. In order to receive that pardon we must acknowledge we have sinned and comply with the conditions God has set forth.

Finally, the newspaper on January 1st ran an article dealing with an opinion poll. It seems like most people think we will be hit by terrorist, the draft will be re-instated, and Jesus will come soon. Keep this in mind, people are terrible at predicting the future. How many thought we would be hit by terrorist before 9/11? The Bible plain teaches we have no idea when Christ will return, Mark 13.22. The key is to always be ready. "And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!" (Mark 13.37). D.T.