Solstice Sing: Voices Together in Dark Times – December 17

As we enter this time of Advent, Hanukkah, and Winter Solstice here in the northern hemisphere, I wonder: are you making space for rest and reflection?

You are cordially invited to join GreenFaith for a virtual gathering of singing, sharing, and storytelling:

Solstice Sing: Voices Together in Dark Times
Wednesday, December 17, at 5pm PT / 6pm MT / 7pm CT / 8pm ET

It’s natural in these difficult times to want to keep charging forward, filling every day with frantic busy work to try and fix all that is wrong in this hurting world. But, as Thomas Merton once wrote, “The frenzy of the activist… destroys the fruitfulness of his or her… work, because it kills the root of inner wisdom which makes work fruitful.”

As crucial as our climate justice work is, we must also take time to tend to those roots of inner wisdom. We'll do just that at this 75-minute virtual gathering. Read more and sign up now for the Solstice Sing.

Together, through song and in fellowship, we'll hold darkness and touch hope and reflect on what it means to commit to joy, beauty, and truth in the midst of unknown and turbulent times. Joshua Blaine, a rabbinical student, songleader, and organizer will join us that night (the fourth night of Hanukkah!) as a guest facilitator.

Register now for Solstice Sing: Voices Together in Dark Times.

Hope to see you there,
Rev. Chelsea MacMillan

Building a Worldwide, Multi-faith Climate and Environmental Movement.

  

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Looking into the lectionary - Christmas Eve resources 🎄

Matthew 1:18-25 Fourth Sunday of Advent December 21, 2025 Looking at the large tree and the many poinsettias in our sanctuary, it’s hard to believe that Presbyterians are relatively new to the celebration of Christmas. Some 400 years ago, our English Puritan forebears had grave misgivings about all things yule. Voicing the Puritan unease towards holiday frivolity and merriment, William Burton, a minister in Bristol, England, wrote in Certain Questions and Answers, concerning the knowledge of God…: “This time is appointed to the church to have the birth and nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ kept in a holy, joyful and thankful remembrance; and not to be spent as though hell were broken loose in all manner of licentiousness.” I take that to mean Burton wouldn’t care much for the light display on Main Street. An observance of Jesus’ birth, Burton continued, “must be done in the fear of God, to the maintaining of holy love, to the relieving of the poor and needy, and to the glory and praise of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, in whom, by whom, and for whose sake, we enjoy all the blessings that we have.” I take that to mean we wouldn’t see Burton set down his eggnog to dash off to Target to purchase a few more stocking stuffers. Samuel Miller, one of the founding professors at Princeton Seminary, was dead-set against religious observances of Christmas. His reasoning was simple: since Scripture is the supreme authority for faith and life and since Scripture says nothing about celebrating Christmas, Christmas should not be celebrated. Indeed, Miller wrote in Presbyterianism, the truly Primitive and Apostolical Constitution of the Church of Christ, “We believe, and teach, in our public formularies, that there is no day … commanded to be kept holy, except the Lord’s day, which is the Christian Sabbath.” Just last century, our own General Assembly held that the observance of Christmas is “contrary to the principles of the Reformed faith, conducive to will-worship, and not in harmony with the simplicity of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” (Source: A Digest of the Acts and Proceedings of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States … G. F. Nicolassen. Richmond, VA: Presbyterian Committee of Publication, 1923.) Obviously, things have changed, and we have broadened our vision and expanded our views and embraced the larger ecumenical consensus regarding Christmas, as well as the ever-expanding American cultural commitment to Christmas. We’ll do later this month what our Presbyterian ancestors wouldn’t have imagined, gathering for worship on Christmas Eve to celebrate the birth of Jesus. That’s a good thing, I think. Fitting and appropriate and spiritually meaningful. ... Thanks to this week's writer, John Wurster. Read the rest of the commentary at pres-outlook.org. Want the worship resources for December 14, 2025? You can find them here. Order of worship — December 21, 2025 by John Wurster Top 10 Presbyterian news stories of 2025 by Presbyterian Outlook  Presbyterians organize to continue international mission sending by Pat Cole Christmas Eve resource bundle: “Naming hope” by Teri McDowell Ott At-home Christmas liturgy by Rose Schrott Taylor  Longest night service: A liturgy of light and hope by Rae Watson IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... Unification Commission votes to recommend San Juan, Puerto Rico, as the site of the 228th General Assembly in 2028 Three presbyteries and the Synod of Boriquén will partner to host commissioners and others who will gather for the historic assembly. — Mike Ferguson Lilly Endowment Inc. awards $10 million grant to UPSem for Seminary Extended collaboration with EMU and LPTS Union Presbyterian Seminary has received a $10 million grant to deliver congregation-embedded leadership development in partnership with Eastern Mennonite Seminary and Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. — UPS Kingdom Racial Change: Overcoming Inequality, Injustice, and Indifference Racial healing requires personal and collective transformation; Kingdom Racial Change outlines a path toward unity and repair, writes Maddie Gold. All is Calmish: How to Feel Less Frantic and More Festive During the Holidays In "All is Calmish," Feliciano offers gentle, practical wisdom to ease holiday stress and help families find small miracles in the season, writes Amy Pagliarella. Good news for all the people As social media amplifies anger, Advent invites us to practice faithful communication — words that add value, meaning and peace, writes Teri McDowell Ott. God, loosen our chains, open our hearts This Advent prayer by Tracy Davenport guides readers toward forgiveness, peace and holy attentiveness. Doechii: Unlimited God, unlimited creativity From “God” to “Anxiety,” Doechii shows us what faith can sound like outside the sanctuary. Join Chris Burton for the "The Theology of Hip Hop." — Chris Burton

Prayers for Our Community, Our Nation and Our World

We can offer specific daily prayers for our community, nation and world. Between Monday, December 8 and Sunday, December 14, we'll lay before God the needs listed below.

• Monday, December 8, 2025 - That the Body of Christ claims a renewed sense of unity.
• Tuesday, December 9, 2025 - That we celebrate the gifts and talents that God has given us.
• Wednesday, December 10, 2025 - That people take seriously God's call to be good stewards of creation.
• Thursday, December 11, 2025 - That fathers and mothers in every American household would exercise godliness.
• Friday, December 12, 2025 - That students would have a passion for God.
• Saturday, December 13, 2025 - That nations work to secure and enhance international peace.
• Sunday, December 14, 2025 - That we choose to show generosity and compassion to the poor and the needy.

The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service - Sunday, November 30, 2025

Sligo Presbyterian Church: Our Congregation and Community: The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service ...: As a kid, unwrapping Christmas presents is one of the highlights of the entire year. Even for adults, the mystery of what’s beneath the pape...

Sunday's Message - Unwrapping the Gift of Hope

Sligo Presbyterian Church: Our Congregation and Community: Sunday's Message - Unwrapping the Gift of Hope: As a kid, unwrapping Christmas presents is one of the highlights of the entire year. Even for adults, the mystery of what’s beneath the pape...

Looking into the lectionary - A longest night liturgy 🌠

Matthew 11:2-11 Third Sunday of Advent December 14, 2025 December is a tough month for me – much too dark and too cold. Loneliness is magnified and sorrow seems deeper during the winter for the people I serve. Someone I love was diagnosed with yet another cancer. There are families in my wealthy suburb who don’t have enough to eat. Our nation seems more divided than ever and the world feels out of control. I remember the curse the White Witch put on Narnia in C. S. Lewis’ classic The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe: Always winter, but never Christmas. John the Baptist was arrested by King Herod because he was publicly critical of Herod for marrying his brother’s wife. John had already identified Jesus as the Lamb of God, the coming one whose sandals he was unworthy to untie. John had baptized Jesus in the Jordan and seen the heavens opened, the Spirit of God descend as a dove, and the voice of God identify Jesus as “My Son, the one I love.” But now, in prison, John is not so sure. In the dark of loneliness, the prison of Herod’s moral failings, and the anxiety of what awaits him, John wonders if Jesus is really the Messiah. That should comfort all of us. Even John the Baptist, when things got tough and the future looked bleak, had to ask, “Are you the One to come — or is there another?” If we are serious about faith in Jesus Christ, that is our question too. Is Jesus the real thing? This world seems pretty messed up. Did the Son of God, the Messiah, really come as a baby to Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago? If so, what difference does it make? Will Christmas come and bring tidings of comfort and joy? Or will this winter go on forever? Jesus sent John’s disciples back to him in prison, uncritical of John’s question. But Jesus’ answer was not a clear yes or no. ... Thanks to this week's writer, Tracey Davenport. Read the rest of the commentary at pres-outlook.org. Want the worship resources for December 7, 2025? You can find them here. Order of worship — December 14, 2025 by Tracey Davenport Seven things queer people would like the church to know by Mike Ferguson What Outlook readers are listening to by you A conversation between two Indigenous-rooted texts by Emery J. Cummins Music in worship is “like a heartbeat” by Patrice Gaines Longest night service: A liturgy of light and hope by Rae Watson IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... Oz was always political — ‘Wicked’ simply makes it clear Long before "Wicked" soared across stage and screen, L. Frank Baum’s world carried a political pulse. The new film reminds us that Oz’s magic has always included questions of power, propaganda, and resistance, writes Michael Parker. Board of Pensions begins search for next president Next year, the 227th General Assembly will be asked to confirm the person selected to succeed the Rev. Dr. Frank Clark Spencer. — BOP Dearly Beloved: Prince, Spirituality & This Thing Called Life "Dearly Beloved" reveals how Prince’s music can be a guide for healing, spirituality, and self-love, writes Llewellyn Dixon. The Tears of Things: Prophetic Wisdom for an Age of Outrage In "The Tears of Things," Richard Rohr calls readers to transform their anger into compassionate action through true prophecy, writes Amy Pagliarella. The Rev. Dr. Bridgett A. Green is named president and publisher of Presbyterian Publishing Corporation Currently the interim president, Green will officially begin in her new role on Jan. 1, 2026. — PPC Reading God’s Love: Three new children’s books for growing faith Discover three new children’s books that nurture faith, justice, and belonging. — Amy Pagliarella and Jesy Littlejohn It's not too late to start an Advent devotional

The Christian Recorder - Liturgical Calendar and Colors for 2026

Liturgical Calendar and Colors for 2026

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