In many areas, which I have traveled in the Lord’s service, I have been asked, “Is there any place for National Holidays In the Lord’s Church?”

Thus, I will attempt to answer in the following manner.

We live in a nation where “The Church and State Are Separate.”  In other words the civil government is not to establish any type of religion for its population.

However, for the Lord’s Church to not observe national holidays, such as: New Year’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, and to conclude that this should never be done is going in the wrong direction.

The church (Baptized followers of Christ) live among the population and should want to influence them for the Gospel’s sake.  When the world is observing these holidays (some of which may have had pagan origins) and to take them and spiritualize them, can it not result in anything but good?  To let the population know that the church is honoring those who have served in the military, to provide our freedom of religion, on Memorial Day, July 4th, and Veteran’s Day (I contend) is demonstrating that which God wants us to do.

To exalt our Savior (Jesus Christ) on an annual basis (Christmas and Easter), is this not good?  To demonstrate to the laboring forces of our land (Labor Day) and to give an annual thanks to all (God and our fellow mankind) for being so gracious to us (Thanksgiving), is this not what God wants?

To have an American flag and a Christian flag in the worship area, and to have the brethren stand and recite the pledges to them and the Bible, is this not patriotic and Christian?

Plainly, don’t get short changed.  Let’s be ready to meet our Maker.

The Bible (in Acts) teaches that to avoid hell and gain heaven — one must:

1) Believe in Jesus As Savior (16:31)

2) Repent of Sins  (17:30)

3) Confess Christ audibly (8:37)

4) Be Baptized in  water (2:38)

5) Live a  Christian life (14:22)

6) Be active in the church (2:47)

Dr. Hoyt W. Allen, Jr. is executive director of the KYOWVA  Evangelistic Association