Remember why you really come.

Although I am not a grinch, I am not a fan of the big Christian holidays; namely Christmas and Easter. Not for any obnoxious religious proclivities (I don’t try and kill people’s fun) but I really dislike the “Easter Bunny” in particular. But this isn’t about these two holidays, it’s about the Christians we only see at church those two times a year.

Holiday Christians…I love them.

There are a myriad of reasons, why they show up. I am sure some attend out of some perceived (or real) obligation to their parents or grand parents to attend services with them. Out of that group, some believe, some don’t. For many of them stepping inside of a church is something they have not done since they were children. Be that because they had a bad experience or because they think that they “don’t belong.” I know that was the case for me. I wasn’t raised in a church and after being brought into the world of Christianity, I started to see that what was being said in the bible is not necessarily what is believed or taught from the pulpit. That and the drama that erupted when I tried to date a girl at the church I had been attending that was of another ethnicity. That did not go well, left a horrible taste in my mouth, and I swore off church and the bible for years. I was 18 at the time and it wouldn’t be for another fiver years before I went back to a church. Even though I firmly believed, I could not stand “church people” and their ways. I did not think about it at the time but I was blaming God and forsaking the fellowship of believers because some people were bad witnesses. So when I see people come in that I have never seen before or that I have not seen in a long time, It makes me happy. Seeing old brothers and sisters and getting the chance to just say hello and find out how they are doing is enough for me. Plus the opportunity to be of service to newcomers is always welcome. Not drowning them in all the “things you should be doing” talk but “God bless you for coming, how are you?” talk.

I feel like I can relate to them; at least how they are feeling when it comes to regular church attendance. We rarely miss services on Sunday, but even with our constant attendance, at least 50% of the time I feel like I don’t want to be there. I don’t feel like singing and doing morning announcements all the time. It is very demoralizing for example, to be in the praise team singing in front of a church with 12 people, half of which are either barely awake or barely paying attention. It is a horrible feeling and it makes me sympathize for pastors who preach in front of pews that are empty or non-attentive.

“God is good…” the pastor cries out.

*silence from the congregation.

“GOD IS GOOD!” a second time it rings out.

This time a lone voice from the back calls back:

“All the time…”

Would that not make you think “What’s the point of even trying?!”

The truth is that we do it not because of other people, but because of God. That is how I approach holiday Christians. I don’t know their situation so I can not make an unbiased assumption, all I can do (and want to do) is just approach them with love and be there for them. I am simply grateful that they are here with us. It can be real easy to get ones nose in the air, I heard it all yesterday; people complaining about those who only show up twice a year. Acting as if we have done some great thing by attending church regularly, as if that is what saves you. In case you are not aware, it is not by your works that you are saved, NEVER forget that. It is by grace and grace alone. No amount of deeds, church services attended, hymns sung or arbitrary promises you make to God in the silence of your thoughts will pay the price. Only the atoning blood of Christ can do that, and that my friends is a gift freely given. Can’t buy it, package it or re-sell it. It’s available and free to all who simply believe. It’s interesting how that part always seems to get lost in the thickets.

I love holiday Christians because whichever way they swing, they at least are honest about why they don’t come normally. At least they don’t come the rest of the year and put on a show. And besides, we should always be over joyed when God brings someone our way. It may be once or twice a year that they show, but something is better than nothing.