SPPC Today

News for Christmas Week, December 21-25, 2025

At last we enter Christmas Week, embracing the final Sunday of Advent and our celebrations of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, alongside the many joyful ways we decorate and honour this season!

The celebration of Christmas as we know it today is the result of centuries of shifting traditions as well as deep theological reflection. While the earliest Christians focused primarily on the Resurrection, by the fourth century, the church began to formally commemorate the Nativity of Jesus. This development was not merely about marking a calendar date; it was a strategic and faithful effort to proclaim the Light of the World during the darkest days of the year. By situating the birth of Christ near the winter solstice, the early church sought to transform existing cultural festivals into a profound recognition of the Incarnation—the moment God entered human history in the form of a vulnerable child. Those who cynically dismiss Christmas as a mere reinvention of the Roman festival Saturnalia miss the truth.

The importance of this celebration lies in its reminder of "Immanuel," meaning God with us. In a world that often feels fractured or uncertain, Christmas calls us back to the foundational truth that God did not remain distant but chose to share in our humanity. It is a season that invites us to practice radical hospitality, generosity, and hope. As we gather to sing the familiar carols and hear the ancient story once more, we are doing more than just revisiting a historical event; we are renewing our commitment to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts and extend outward into our community.

Worship this Christmas Week

Our Advent Sunday worship begins at 10:00 a.m. As with all our services you can participate in person or connect with our community online via the live stream. The link for this Sunday's Fourth Advent is available here.

We gather for the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service on Wednesday, December 24 at 7:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity to invite your family, friends and neighbours for a meaningful and wonderful celebration of Christ's birth! The link for this service is here.

Our Christmas Morning Service takes place on Thursday, December 25 at 10:30 a.m. You may follow it online here.

The Scripture for this Sunday readings are:

• Psalm 130:1-8

• John 1:1-18 – The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth

This week our choir is singing the anthem Emmanuel soon will appear by Don Besig & Nancy Price.

Upcoming

• The First Annual SPPC Carol Sing and Great Peninsula Shortbread Bake-Off and Bake Sale takes place this Sunday, December 21 at 2:00 p.m.!! Please bring in your creations for the shortbread competition to Church in the morning and drop them off in the kitchen. Please note which category you are entering them in: Scottish, whipped, flavoured, decorated, men's / first-time bakers. For more details, contact Alice Valdal or Janet Smith.

• Christmas Eve Candlelight Service: Wednesday, December 24 at 7:00 p.m.Christmas Eve

• Christmas Day Service: Thursday, December 25 at 10:30 a.m.

• Our Wednesday Study of the Letter to the Ephesians will resume on January 14

May the grace of our Saviour and the peace of the Christ Child dwell in your hearts and homes this holy season.

SUNDAY MORNING

Welcome to Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church. 

Our worship takes place at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday morning both in-person and online (via the SPPC YouTube Livestream button above). We invite you to join us each week as we continue to explore and follow the Word of God. Following the service, there is a fellowship time at the back of the sanctuary.

For the safety of your neighbours, when you attend worship: 

• Please, perform a health check prior to attending.

• While masks are not required, feel free to wear one if you prefer.

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday.