december 2025
CALENDAR
December 7 Greening Service; Second Sunday in Advent
14 Holy Communion; Third Sunday in Advent: Noisy Offering for Habitat
21 4th Sunday in Advent
24 Christmas Eve Service at 5:00 PM
28 Parish Joint Worship at VGUMC at 10:00 AM
2026 - January 4 Epiphany Sunday
Missions
We will continue our missions through December with the Christmas Joy baskets for Project Life and the Mitten Tree as well as items for the Newburgh Ministry. We are in need of hats, scarves, gloves, mittens and items for the Newburgh Ministry donations.
From the pastor
CHRISTMAS IS EVERY DAY
The Christmas season is among the most eagerly anticipated holidays observed by Christians worldwide. It provides an opportunity to reunite with family members residing in different countries or locations where they have settled. This period is meaningful for celebrating the joy of togetherness with family and friends. A prominent feature of Christmas festivities is the display of vibrant Christmas lanterns and beautifully illuminated lights, which captivate all observers. Churches also conduct significant Advent liturgies and Christmas Eve worship services, emphasizing the joy of God's redemptive love through Jesus Christ. Messages during this season strongly reaffirm God's love, exemplified by the birth of Jesus, regarded as the greatest gift to humanity.
Given the joy associated with Christmas celebrations, a significant issue persists as a matter of ongoing debate and remains unresolved. The exact date of Jesus' birth remains unknown, due to the absence of reliable records. Some Christian denominations argue that Christmas should be observed in April, citing differing calendars or theological beliefs. Conversely, certain Orthodox Churches commemorate Christmas on January 7th, owing to their adherence to a different calendar. There are hypotheses suggesting that December 25th is the correct date, as numerous Christian churches and traditions have observed it for many decades. These various dates for Christmas exemplify that no single tradition can definitively establish the correct date. Nevertheless, the Christmas holiday endures as a vital tradition that remains ingrained in the hearts of millions of followers of Jesus Christ. In this context, faith would be incomplete and lacking purpose if Christmas were to be removed from the Christian faith. The celebration persists despite the differing dates because what truly matters is the recognition of the Savior born in Bethlehem, who offers the gift of redemption to humanity. Therefore, I join many who affirm, “Jesus is the reason for the season.”
One observation is that following the celebration, the spirit of Christmas appears to diminish. Even the emphasis on the significance of love seems to have been overlooked. The ordinary flow of life persists. Hatred and violence continue unabated. The disintegration of human relationships within families, churches, communities, and even among nations remains one of humanity's most persistent unresolved issues. I contemplate that the enigma surrounding the actual date of Jesus' birth remains unresolved, reminding us that Christmas is not solely celebrated during the December holiday period. It serves as a reminder that, since the precise date of Jesus' birth is unknown, the practice of love—an essential lesson of Christmas—should be observed every day, not exclusively on Christmas Day. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.
Blessings,
Pastor Willie