[8] Jim Whiteford of the Kilmarnock Standard described the song as a "mid-tempo number" which is "heavily but effectively produced to give a rich sound around the slightly muffled vocal lead" and added that "the Bible story is there if you listen".

They expect the world to be too traumatic, are disappointed when their daily dramas don't match the sketches in their imagination: they exaggerate, and so they're unbelievable.

"[11] Sunie of Number One considered "December" to be "a dispiriting little thing" and added, "The Waterboys have a singer who can't sing but clearly thinks he can.

Their music is drippy modern rock, like U2 with the fire put out, and the song is an early bid for the religious Christmas hit.

[13] In a review of the mini-album edition of The Waterboys, Diana Valois of The Morning Call considered the song to be "about coming of age" and noted the "fat and flavorful guitar work".

[14] Parke Puterbaugh of Rolling Stone described "December" as a "longish song, more meditative though no less inquisitive, as Scott, like Van Morrison, goes looking for the proverbial lion in the soul".