Certainly, the biggest single sporting event in terms of viewers, money spent on advertising, and recent tradition in this country is the Super Bowl. Two of the best teams in the NFL meet to decide the champion. The argument could be made that this is our nation's biggest unofficial holiday....so why don't we just cancel church services on this Sunday night? Think about it! This writer was astounded at the number of (what he formerly thought of as sound) churches of Christ who canceled, in part or all together, church services on Christmas Day 2005, which happened to fall on a Sunday. If it is okay to cancel services on Christmas Day, then why not for Super Bowl Sunday?

"It's Important for Families To Spend Time Together"

The number one reason why some churches of Christ (and denominational churches) canceled services on Christmas Day 2005 was so their members could "spend time with their families." Is spending time with family important? Absolutely! Training children involves spending time with them (Deut. 6:4-7; Pr. 22:6; Eph. 6:4)! Some households are more football fans than Christmas fans. Why could they not argue, "Since Super Bowl Sunday is a great opportunity to spend time with family, we should cancel services"? After all, a good football game provides opportunity to teach young ones about perseverance, teamwork, and sacrifice. What's the difference between Christmas and Super Bowl Sunday? It's only a matter of personal preference! However, should spending time with family come before serving the Lord? Absolutely not! Jesus said, "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me" (Mt. 10:37). What would our neighbors think when they know we usually go to church services on Sunday, but now we are staying home because it's Christmas Day or the Super Bowl? Will they understand that God is first in our lives? More importantly, what does God think? Sometimes we buy into the false denominational concept that "Christmas" is an important religious day, as if God elevates that day above all others. The leadership in those churches of Christ who canceled services on Christmas Day 2005 would probably (and rightly so) scoff at the idea of canceling services for Super Bowl Sunday, but again, what is the difference between Christmas and Super Bowl Sunday to God? Skipping services on either day for "the sake of family" places family above God!

"We Won't Have Many in Attendance"

Another reason why churches canceled services on Christmas Day 2005 was because they were afraid that many members would not show up. This was explicitly stated in the local newspaper concerning denominational churches in our area. In fact, one denominational church had the audacity to say that they did not want to force its members into having to make a decision between family or God! By canceling services, this church made the choice for them-family won! How sad! While this writer is not aware of the leadership in churches of Christ making such a statement, he cannot help but to think that this very reason crossed the minds of some. Well, how about Super Bowl Sunday? Suppose the home team made the Super Bowl? Could not the leadership reason, "We won't have many in attendance because they'll all be watching the game, so we might as well cancel services"? How ridiculous! But again, what's the difference between Christmas Day and Super Bowl Sunday? It should not matter how many people may or may not attend services. Moses said, "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil" (Ex. 23:2). People need to quit viewing church services as social functions -if the "in crowd" is not going to be there, then we might as well call it off. God is to be the focal point of worship (Jn. 4:23-24), and God's word is to be emphasized in Bible classes (cf. 2 Tim. 3:16-17). The secular world's agenda should not dictate the procedure for God's faithful people (1 Jn. 2:15-17)!

"The Times We Meet for Church Services Are Matters of Judgment Anyway"

A seemingly "respectable" excuse for canceling services on Christmas Day 2005 would go something like this, "Since the times we meet for services fall under the category of judgment, we have a right to change the times of services." While it is true, for example, that God has not said what time on Sunday we are to partake of the Lords' Supper or whether or not we must meet twice on Sunday, we must honestly consider the reasons why we would change and/or cancel times of services on certain days and the implications of such. First, in this case, the basic reason why (which has already been addressed) may be summarized as caring for the things of this world more than for the things of God. It is not inherently wrong to adjust or even cancel the times of services. During the hurricane season of 2004, at least two of those storms made landfall in our area on a Sunday. Some services were canceled, and for good reason (cf. Mt. 4:7). Those were physical life and death circumstances that were beyond human control. Canceling services on Christmas Day or Super Bowl Sunday, however, is a different circumstance, one that is self-serving and worldly, the opposite of what Christianity is all about (cf. Mt. 6:33; Col. 3:1). Second, the implications of canceling services to fulfill fleshly desires negatively impacts our relationship with God and one another. The impact on our relationship with God is obvious: we are putting Him on the back burner. Concerning each other, what about people whose only family is the church? Are we not denying them family time? Also, if it's okay to cancel services on Christmas Day, then why not for the Super Bowl, a family reunion, or even a good day of fishing? What's the difference?

There is nothing inherently sinful about watching football. However, when it or any other recreational event takes precedence over God, something is wrong. There is just as much reason for canceling services on Christmas Day as there is on Super Bowl Sunday. Instead, let us "love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind" (Mt. 22:37)! Let us seek Him first (Mt. 6:33)!