Most of us have heard the songs for ‘Blue Christmas’ sung by a variety of musicians over the years. It’s about a personal loss of relationship, and heading toward Christmas in the midst of that loss. For all of us, loss comes in many forms: loss of a loved one, divorce, job loss, loneliness, food insecurity (the list goes on). This has been a particularly difficult year for many, many people. We long for this year to be over, thinking that perhaps in the coming year, things will be better. As this year has marched forward, when we think it can’t possibly get any worse, it does. People are stressed, stretched, anxious, angry, sad, heartbroken and weary. I know we ALL don’t feel this way, but many are trying to figure out how to do Christmas in new ways that are safe for everyone while retaining some sense of normal (whatever that is for you).
Covid-19 has created a time that is anything BUT normal. The illness rate and death toll continues to rise. Food insecurity isn’t new, but the number of people in need has grown significantly. Our economy is struggling, and there is political infighting around every corner. This is also a time of reckoning for all of us to face the racial injustices that have plagued this nation for hundreds of years. I don’t know about you, but I NEED Blue Christmas more than ever, this year!
Blue Christmas is a time of worship for reflection, prayer, listening, and remembering. It is so hard to grieve when others are trying to be happy. But the grief is real, and we, too, need to be real about where we are emotionally and spiritually. So I invite you to join me for worship: Blue Christmas. It will be available at 7 pm on December 18th. If you’d like, have a candle with you to light during the service.
