What is Blue Christmas?

It is a time to recognize that Christmas can be a bittersweet time of the year. The constant refrain we hear about getting together with family, reminds many people of what and who they have lost, or what they never had. The anguish of broken relationships, the insecurity of unemployment, the weariness of ill health, the loss of a loved one, the pain of isolation- all these can make us feel very much alone in the midst of the festive season.

You might have heard it called the longest sleep or as the winter solstice, but this day in the Advent season isn’t just another day. During the day with the shortest amount of light, we focus on those who the time around the holiday season isn’t a time of celebration, but a time of feeling “blue”. Individuals during this season may have a difficult time because they are still working through painful events in their life like abuse, poverty, sickness, or even death.

All of this is compounded by the deepening darkness of the year which is darkest and longest on Dec 21 which is why sometimes this service is called the Service of the Longest Night. We need space and time to acknowledge our sadness and fears. We need to know that we are not alone. We need to know God’s presence during this season. We need HOPE. And that HOPE has been revealed.

So on the almost longest night of the year, we invite you to experience a meditative worship service that takes time for remembering, sharing our hurting places with God, and preparing our hearts for the coming of Christ.