Sunday Service: In-person and Online Sunday at 10:30am
I’ll admit it: my skepticism really kicks in at Christmas. So much of the Christmas saga is simply beyond belief. What if I told you that Christmas is truly a holiday for skeptics, created by ancients who sought to question rather than answer the reason for the season? That’s exactly what I’ll explain in today’s worship service. Service led by Rev. Gregory Stewart. Way Cool Sunday School (downstairs) with Way Cool Worship to follow Rm. 3.
Our annual do-it-yourself improv Christmas pageant! Come hear – and help tell! – the story of the birth of Jesus. A bit unorthodox, but make no mistake: you’ll find the heart of the season here. Come get your Christmas on! Service led by Dr. Mary Shelden. All Ages service (sanctuary).
Christmas and Unitarian Universalists
When I first discovered Unitarian Universalism, I was at first taken aback that we celebrated holidays like Christmas and Easter. How could this be? Historically, Unitarians believed in one God at most, and Universalists didn’t believe in hell. So what’s the point of celebrating births and resurrections of a so-called savior?
Today, some UUs celebrate Christmas as the birth of Jesus, even while questioning his divinity. I include myself in this category. But many others have given new meaning to the reason for the season. And yes, there are those among us who do not celebrate Christmas at all. This only makes sense: there will never will be only one way to celebrate a UU Christmas.
This means we get to be creative! Some of us celebrate the season to develop a culture of generosity in our own homes, and live out of abundance rather than scarcity. Others embrace Santa, with gifts and trimmed trees, which brings delight to both the young and the young at heart. Some of you have told me that you and your extended family gather at Christmas in a special place every year. Others use this season to relax, play, and rest up for the coming new year. Some UUs celebrate Hanukkah or Kwanza, in addition to or instead of, Christmas. The possibilities seem endless.
My own family comes together in our home and this is often the only time we are all together. We celebrate new birth, fresh perspectives, and future success. We view the baby in a manger and remember that we too were born to love the hell out of this world and serve “the least of these.“ We might serve meals at a soup kitchen or burp bottles of bleach at the local food depository. In other words, we put hands and feet on our cerebral Principles and Purposes. We also do this, remembering, a little child shall lead us.
This Christmas, however you intend to celebrate (or not), please make room in your heart for a little child that hopes to burst forth in wonder and amazement, and later shape the world we only dream about. From my family to yours, happy holidays, friends, and may yours be a merry and bright!
The joy continues,
Rev. Greg
An exploration of religious mysticism throughout the ages and how Unitarian Universalism aligns with this theology of oneness. Way Cool Worship (downstairs). Service led by Rev. Eileen Wiviott
Come experience/participate with – the UCE Choir, Guest Soloists, and a Full Jazz Combo (including Gregory Shifrin and UCE member, Karl Montzka) as we lift our voices in singing a Jazzy Little Christmas at 11:00am in the sanctuary. We’ll share a Christmas Carol Sing-a-long at 9:15am in Rm 3.