Uplook - December 6, 2025
Happy December,
I think I have mentioned before that I have a December birthday and growing up, my mother would not allow us to decorate for Christmas until my birthday was over. I understand she was trying to protect the celebration of my birthday, but practically it bought a bit of consternation to my younger sister and also to my grandmother who lived nearby. On the evening of my birthday, usually following an "official birthday dinner" and the opening of presents, my sister and I began pleading with my mother to allow us to get the Christmas decorations down from the attic.
I have since learned that there are myriad customs around the world for celebrating Christmas, and they begin as early as Autumn and sometimes extend well into January, with the traditional Christian celebration of Epiphany marking the arrival off the Magi (think the 12 days of Christmas).
And that brings me to my point today...when should we celebrate the birth of Jesus? Oh, I am not referring to the controversy over the placing the celebration on December 25 which also was the timing of another Roman festival. Nor am I concerned about the fact that it was fairly likely that the birth happened in the springtime rather than in winter based upon when shepherds were out. What I am talking about is when in our hearts should we celebrate this miraculous happening which theologians call the Incarnation? John's gospel declares:
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John 1:14
The obvious answer is that this celebration should be an ongoing one in our hearts no matter the calendar date or the world situation or even our own personal situation. Let me tell you why I believe this is true (quoting/paraphrasing from a famous theologian named J.I. Packer):
And because of this the "spirit of Christmas" should be celebrated by true Christians all year long. Jesus' example of humility and giving of Himself should be the inspiration of that celebration ...with caring, sharing, giving, and offering hope to all with whom we come in contact. So...get the decorations down (if you have not already) and celebrate the season but never forget that for us...the season is all year long.
God bless you all,
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
I think I have mentioned before that I have a December birthday and growing up, my mother would not allow us to decorate for Christmas until my birthday was over. I understand she was trying to protect the celebration of my birthday, but practically it bought a bit of consternation to my younger sister and also to my grandmother who lived nearby. On the evening of my birthday, usually following an "official birthday dinner" and the opening of presents, my sister and I began pleading with my mother to allow us to get the Christmas decorations down from the attic.
I have since learned that there are myriad customs around the world for celebrating Christmas, and they begin as early as Autumn and sometimes extend well into January, with the traditional Christian celebration of Epiphany marking the arrival off the Magi (think the 12 days of Christmas).
And that brings me to my point today...when should we celebrate the birth of Jesus? Oh, I am not referring to the controversy over the placing the celebration on December 25 which also was the timing of another Roman festival. Nor am I concerned about the fact that it was fairly likely that the birth happened in the springtime rather than in winter based upon when shepherds were out. What I am talking about is when in our hearts should we celebrate this miraculous happening which theologians call the Incarnation? John's gospel declares:
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John 1:14
The obvious answer is that this celebration should be an ongoing one in our hearts no matter the calendar date or the world situation or even our own personal situation. Let me tell you why I believe this is true (quoting/paraphrasing from a famous theologian named J.I. Packer):
- The baby born at Bethlehem was God. John says earlier that he was with God and was God and was life...the light of men. John further declares the baby Jesus was none other than the eternal Word of God.
- The baby born at Bethlehem was God made man. Jesus was a real human baby, no less God than before. Packer says "He was not now God minus some elements of his deity, but God plus all that he had made his own by taking manhood to himself." He learned what it means to be human including temptation, pain, loss, and ultimately death. It was for this purpose He came and it meant love beyond comprehension.
And because of this the "spirit of Christmas" should be celebrated by true Christians all year long. Jesus' example of humility and giving of Himself should be the inspiration of that celebration ...with caring, sharing, giving, and offering hope to all with whom we come in contact. So...get the decorations down (if you have not already) and celebrate the season but never forget that for us...the season is all year long.
God bless you all,
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
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