Uplook - December 2, 2023
Happy December,
Over our years in Seattle (nearly 15 when you combine both times we’ve lived here), I continue to be amazed at how short the days get during this month. On December 21st is the Winter Solstice during which, in Seattle, the sun will rise at 7:54 a.m. and set at 4:20 p.m. for only eight hours and 26 minutes of daylight. I suppose we could be discouraged that the sun will not set after 7 pm until March of next year. Physicians often prescribe more Vitamin D and even special lighting to combat the physical effects of the shortened exposure to sunlight. I suspect it may sometimes affect our moods and perspectives as well but I am reminded the encouraging words of the Psalmist.
We are reminded to sing and give thanks to the Lord because even though grief and sadness last for the night…the morning is sure to come bringing joy with it.
Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, And give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. 5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:4–5
We are also reminded during this time of year, especially on the clear nights, that God’s majestic universe extends so much farther than my small circle of influence and his mercy is even more expansive than the universe. The psalmist again described it simply like this:
The moon and stars to rule by night: For his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 136:9
And while we rejoice of God’s love during the daytime when it is light, He has promised a song in the night as well. Several Psalms speak of this “song in the night” as well as the Prophet Isaiah.
Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night his song shall be with me, And my prayer unto the God of my life. Psalm 42:8
I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: And my spirit made diligent search. Psalm 77:6
Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; And gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe To come into the mountain of the Lord, to the mighty One of Israel. Isaiah 30:29
So may we all rejoice in God’s faithfulness that the wondrous message of the Advent Season we celebrate this time of year burns brightly just as did the star prophesied in Numbers 24:17 and observed and followed by the Oriental scholars which we call the “wise men” or Magi. They followed that star by night until they came to the place where Jesus was, offering gifts signifying the offices the baby would one day fulfill. Gold in homage to his role as a King, Frankincense – an incense used in worship for his role as our Great High Priest, and Myrrh – used for embalming for his role as a perfect sacrifice offered for the sins of humanity. May we also follow both day and night, bringing ourselves as living sacrifices to the Christ child who came and now sits at God’s right hand interceding for us in both light joyous times as well as dark times of despair.
Housekeeping notes:
Sunday School Program – Sunday Morning, December 10. Be sure to join us in person or online to see our children rejoice in the Christmas story.
Adult Choir program – Sunday Morning, December 17. Choir members – remember to check the church app for the most recent practice schedule for the upcoming Christmas program.
Candlelight service – Sunday Evening, December 17. Join us for our traditional time of carols and candles at 5 pm.
Christmas & New Year’s Eve Services. Both Sundays we will have Sunday School and Morning Worship ONLY. No evening Services or Bible Study between those dates.
God bless you all during this blessed season.
In Christ,
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
Over our years in Seattle (nearly 15 when you combine both times we’ve lived here), I continue to be amazed at how short the days get during this month. On December 21st is the Winter Solstice during which, in Seattle, the sun will rise at 7:54 a.m. and set at 4:20 p.m. for only eight hours and 26 minutes of daylight. I suppose we could be discouraged that the sun will not set after 7 pm until March of next year. Physicians often prescribe more Vitamin D and even special lighting to combat the physical effects of the shortened exposure to sunlight. I suspect it may sometimes affect our moods and perspectives as well but I am reminded the encouraging words of the Psalmist.
We are reminded to sing and give thanks to the Lord because even though grief and sadness last for the night…the morning is sure to come bringing joy with it.
Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, And give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. 5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:4–5
We are also reminded during this time of year, especially on the clear nights, that God’s majestic universe extends so much farther than my small circle of influence and his mercy is even more expansive than the universe. The psalmist again described it simply like this:
The moon and stars to rule by night: For his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 136:9
And while we rejoice of God’s love during the daytime when it is light, He has promised a song in the night as well. Several Psalms speak of this “song in the night” as well as the Prophet Isaiah.
Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night his song shall be with me, And my prayer unto the God of my life. Psalm 42:8
I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: And my spirit made diligent search. Psalm 77:6
Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; And gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe To come into the mountain of the Lord, to the mighty One of Israel. Isaiah 30:29
So may we all rejoice in God’s faithfulness that the wondrous message of the Advent Season we celebrate this time of year burns brightly just as did the star prophesied in Numbers 24:17 and observed and followed by the Oriental scholars which we call the “wise men” or Magi. They followed that star by night until they came to the place where Jesus was, offering gifts signifying the offices the baby would one day fulfill. Gold in homage to his role as a King, Frankincense – an incense used in worship for his role as our Great High Priest, and Myrrh – used for embalming for his role as a perfect sacrifice offered for the sins of humanity. May we also follow both day and night, bringing ourselves as living sacrifices to the Christ child who came and now sits at God’s right hand interceding for us in both light joyous times as well as dark times of despair.
Housekeeping notes:
Sunday School Program – Sunday Morning, December 10. Be sure to join us in person or online to see our children rejoice in the Christmas story.
Adult Choir program – Sunday Morning, December 17. Choir members – remember to check the church app for the most recent practice schedule for the upcoming Christmas program.
Candlelight service – Sunday Evening, December 17. Join us for our traditional time of carols and candles at 5 pm.
Christmas & New Year’s Eve Services. Both Sundays we will have Sunday School and Morning Worship ONLY. No evening Services or Bible Study between those dates.
God bless you all during this blessed season.
In Christ,
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
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