Between Us – Celebrating Christmas

By Rev. Clyde Grubbs, November 28, 2023

Unitarian Universalists often ask me, “How can we celebrate Christmas when we’re not Christians?” Or for those who went to catechism, “How can we commemorate the birth of God’s Son when we doubt the Holy Trinity?”

Last year I preached a sermon called Have a Merry UU Christmas in which we explored the contemporary meaning of Christmas by Unitarians and Universalists. We explored the contribution of Dickens to the idea that loving and caring for others can resurrect the human in even a misanthrope like Ebenezer Scrooge. We looked at Edmund Sears, whose It Came Upon a Midnight Clear put front and center the vision of peace on earth and goodwill toward all our human siblings, and we even thanked Professor Follen for the Christmas tree being introduced to the United States. We do appreciate the message of Christmas in many ways, and some of those meanings were gifts of our spiritual ancestors.

We’re now entering the period called Advent. Advent is the time of preparation for Christmas. There are virtues to be cultivated, gifts to be procured, songs to be learned, parties to be planned. All those happen in the four weeks preceding Christmas. Last year we had a Music Sunday, and it was dedicated to little-known Advent music. The congregation loved it. In this coming New Year, we can look forward to Jim and the choir bringing us a Music Sunday in March.

This year in December I will be looking at the real St. Nicholas and probing the origin of the Santa Claus myth. Elizabeth, Michelle, Jim and I have many exciting ideas which will unfold in the upcoming December Sunday services and in other ways.

And, we will have a really exciting Christmas Eve Service followed by a great reception. Invite your friends; they will thank you for it!

Rev. Clyde