Now I understand how it became "Xmas"

Christmas time in America!!! always heard of this event as a great festival that is celebrated wonderfully across US of A. Its discount time in every store during this season. Last 2 weeks of the year are holidays, everyone's saying "HAPPY HOLIDAYS", not HAPPY CHRISTMAS or HAPPY NEW YEAR :). But the more sad news I had to hear during "CHRISTMAS" was that there will be no worship service in the Church which we are attending here, but slightly relieved that atleast they have Christmas Eve service. We got ready for the eve service on 24th @ 5pm. But we returned back very sadly, not because the service was not there, but it was just for 30 minutes whereas Sunday worship service is for 60 minutes, very few people attended that service and they cut it short for 30 minutes. I was just reminding myself that if I go to a Wal-mart store, it will take minimum of 30 minutes to just browse through things on shelves. People are taking it as an opportunity as a social & family gatherings, there is no Christ around :). Now I understand how it became "Xmas". Its shopping, fun, eating, parties and what not. Christmas 2008 was my saddest Christmas, good that I brought Christ with me before coming here :), but as a celebration it was dull & sad.

A week to go for 31st Dec & New Year. Again I had to hear bad news from our Church minister that they dont have service neither on 31st nor on 1st. He was saying, "I think you have service in your Church back in India, because thats your Church tradition & thats not part of our Church tradition". I didnt understand how Church tradition is related with Worshipping God who helped us to enter another year in our life :( .

This is what I feel what Christians here think, these are my derivations from their words and deeds & not from their mouth, in the Bible there is written that disciples gathered on Sunday & thats why we gather and the rest like Bible Study, Church Prayer, Youth Camp/Re-union, Sunday School, Cottage prayers, etc.., are Church traditions. I thought we eat as much as we are hungry :).

As the year was closing-in I was googling for a Church in our place where we can attend 31st eve service and finally found one Church website which said "New year eve service from 11-12". I was quite happy and dressed up, started my car, and ran it through to reach the place before time, but it was :( again, the place deserted and doors of the Church locked. The info in the website was incorrect!!! I had to just return back. Entered into a new year sitting at home for the first time.

All these years I know so many friends & relatives travelling to US, but never I heard anyone saying that there are no worship services on Christmas & New Year, may be I didnt listen someone saying. Its really sorrowful to see this happening from a country which once has sent missionaries across the globe. I remember one brother in India saying that "The time has come for the missionaries to be sent from India to the Western world", I felt "How True it is?" The Civilized nations in the world need Christ at this moment, there is neither righteousness nor unrighteousness, its all self-righteousness which is far dangerous than unrighteousness, its "ME" & "I".

I am so happy & blessed to come from a Church in India which is helping me to stand for Christ and follow simple Biblical principles in any place in the world. I say "Praise The Lord".
~abednego injeti