It sounds like satire. But the headline came, it came just the same, from The Associated Press, reporting: "Some Megachurches closing on Christmas." I couldn't believe that when I read it.

Then the lead made it even worse as the reporter or editor pointed out what seems obvious to even the most casually religious or hopefully spiritual: "This Christmas, no prayers will be said in several megachurches around the country," it read.

Christmas is on a Sunday this year. Perhaps many ministers, pastors and preachers sighed when they realized they would have to "work" on a holiday. At several big churches such as Willow Creek, staff opted to cancel services on Christmas Sunday because they anticipated low attendance, according to AP.

That sort of logic seems insane when you consider the numbers in the majority of churches in the United States. Willow Creek wouldn't deem the under-100 crowds in most services worthy of opening the doors.

Then there is the seeker mindset argument. Since Willow's worship is for seekers and they are the least likely to come on Sunday (so Willow staff reportedly thinks) it is against the mission of the church to remain open for the faithful, or guilt-stricken, habitual worshippers who might forego other holiday rituals to fit in Christmas worship.

Reportedly Gene Appel, Willowcreek CEO, said those other holiday rituals were actually more important than gathering for worship. They may in fact be worship, he thinks.

"We don't see it as not having church on Christmas," he said. "We see it as decentralizing the church on Christmas--hundreds of thousands of experiences going on around Christmas trees. The best way to honor the birth of Jesus is for families to have a more personal experience on that day."

Check out what Paul Proctor has to say about that in the Indiana Christian News.

Carry this closed-for-Christmas logic out a few more steps and Appel has completely obliterated the need for the institutional church or large worship services. Of course house churches have already been preaching this sermon. But then, so have hippies and everyone who is not a morning person, and teenagers and, well, about 45 percent of Americans, who don't attend church regularly.

The worst part of Appel's argument is the family time argument. I agree that you can honor Jesus with family. What I disagree with is who that family is. If I didn't go to church on Christmas I would only be with a small part of my family. Most of my brothers and sisters are the Church. I understand that most Christians probably don't think this way. But they should. The bride of Christ is not the family, it is the Church. Christ didn't promise to build the family, but to build his Church.

At least maybe megachurchers who find no services Christmas Day can find a local Catholic service, or another protestant church that views its ministry more like Walgreens, and will be open 24/7, even on holidays.

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