Page 4 2025 Worship Guide LINCOLN DAILY NEWS December 2025 Continued -- Let’s talk about time. What is “time?” One dictionary defines time as the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole. Rust Cohle in the TV show “True Detective” says, “Time is a flat circle,” meaning that time is cyclical and repetitive. Recently, I had a parishioner say, “Time is a construct. What matters about time is what you do with it.” Talking about time, it’s about time for stores and your holiday playlist to play that song with the line, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Have you thought about the ways we, as a community, mark our collective transitions during this season? We’ve got the annual Downtown Holiday Tree lighting on the Friday after Thanksgiving, the Christmas Parade, and charitable opportunities like Toys for Tots and canned good collections, all of which help us mark time together. All of these contribute to the holy-days we celebrate as a diverse community! Did you notice I used ‘holy-days’ instead of ‘holidays’? The reason is that, although Christianity is the dominant religion in Lincoln and Logan County, this season is when many of us observe rituals, traditions, and celebrations to mark the passing of time. In November, our Hindu neighbors celebrated Diwali, a five-day festival of lights that celebrates good triumphing over evil and light over darkness. Let’s talk about For Christians, the new year begins with Advent, a season of preparing for the Christ’s arrival, ending with Christmas, where candles are lit each week. Our Jewish friends celebrate Hanukkah, a festival that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple. They light candles on a menorah, adding one each night to honor the miracle of the oil—lasting eight days when it was expected to last only one. Whether you’re observing Advent, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, or Bodhi Day, these festivals are a vital opportunity to reflect on sacred stories, connect with spiritual traditions, and strengthen community bonds through a diverse tapestry of human experiences. As a Christian from the Presbyterian tradition, I cherish this season. Advent provides a moment to reflect on the hope, peace, joy, and love that shape our lives. It also calls us to let these aspects of our faith guide us in reaffirming God’s affirmation of creation— his declaration of our inherent, unshakable goodness. During Advent, prophets like Isaiah, Mary, Elizabeth, and Zechariah challenge, convert, and comfort us as we wait for Christ’s return. However, this waiting is not a time for idleness. Between this Advent and the next, we have work to do—both in the world and within ourselves. Like the Israelites, we live in a world in need of transformation. This is an opportunity to rebuild, renew, forge new relationships, and strengthen existing ones. TIME
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