Christian Churches And Churches Of Christ

The Christian Churches and Churches of Christ have historically avoided the Christian year as one of the unscriptural practices creating division between denominations-a division which their movement sought to overcome. Most now celebrate Christmas and Easter in worship, but these are among yearly observances based on the civil calendar, not the Christian year. Scattered evidence for increased interest in using visual symbols to deepen worship can be seen, but there is little movement toward following the Christian year. The Restoration Movement, from which the independent Christian churches and Churches of Christ stem, began about two centuries ago as a reaction against the divisive, human inventions of denominationalism. To this day most of these churches almost completely avoid the church calendar, regarding it as unscriptural, ecclesiastical tradition. Most of the churches of Christ do not use music, recognize no special days, seasons, or observances, other than to meet for the S…