Blue Christmas

submitted December 11, 2009 by Matthew Ellis EMAIL TO A FRIEND 2 COMMENTS Share/Bookmark

Blue Christmas

The Rev. Mary P. Trainor recently wrote an article that brings attention to an often overlooked aspect of the holidays: the fact that for many, the holidays are not a time of happiness and joy. Unfortunately, the holidays are often a time of intense sadness and loneliness, accompanied by overwhelming feelings of loss and grief.  As the Rev. Trainor notes:

This day more than any other day in the secular calendar can trigger feelings of isolation and loss, unworthiness and sadness. Blue Christmas. That phrase hasn't hung around over the decades for no good reason.

As someone who has often struggled through the holidays, I empathize with those who find this time of year particularly difficult. In addition to the Rev. Trainor's thoughts about maintaining the presence of Christ during the Christmas season, it is helpful to consider additional healthy ways of coping. One resource on this site is Good Grief Work. In addition to an overall discussion of working through issues of grief, this free download offers suggestions and prayers for coping through the holidays. Here is one prayer as we remember those for whom this time of year is especially difficult:

O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen,
and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever
of life is over, and our work is done. In your mercy, grant us a safe
lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen.

2 Comments

Ginny Wagenseller, Parish Nurse, Christ&Holy Trinity Church, Westport, Ct.
December 23rd, 2009 3:18pm
We held our first Blue Christmas service this year, on Dec. 21 and called it The Longest Night. We opened it to the community and had a turnout of about 25 people, with many appreciative comments. We used the baptismal font, lined with a bowl, filled with sand to place individual candles after lighting the four in the Advent wreath. People seemed most appreciative of the moments of silence, the individual lightings of the candles, the feel of being in a safe place with safe people, and the promise of hope.
Matthew Ellis
December 16th, 2009 2:15pm
I've just come across an article from Burlington, WI in the Diocese of Milwaukee highlighting their Blue Christmas Service: "It's not just for death and that type of loss," said the Rev. Joanne Skidmore, priest at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church. "It's also divorce, a break-up, the loss of a job, loss of a home, loss of pets. Christmas is real hard. No one will be judged. It's just a time to gather and acknowledge that even though it's a season of great joy for Christians, for individual Christians it may be a time of great grief."

http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/article_4c874aa0-e05d-11de-b8d5-001cc4c002e0.html

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