What Is a "Blue Christmas"?
For Those Who Mourn
Blue Christmas (also called the Longest Night) in the Western Christian tradition, is a day in the Advent season marking the longest night of the year. On this day, some churches in Western Christian denominations hold a church service that honors people that have lost loved ones and are experiencing grief.
Here is one church's description of their program:
"It is meant for people experiencing loss and facing difficult circumstances during the holidays. It is a quiet, more meditative service for those carrying pain or loss and allows those in attendance the opportunity to reflect and grieve in a quiet, gentle atmosphere.
The service is a way for the church to reach out to the hurting, who can at times get lost in seasonal celebrations. It offers a message of God’s love, a time for reflection and invitation to light a candle in memory of a loved one or in recognition of other losses."
Another explanation is here:
"Blue? Yes, blue as in the blues. As in "I am feeling blue." Not everyone is up and cheery for the Christmas holidays. Dealing with the death of a loved one, facing life after divorce or separation, coping with the loss of a job, living with cancer or some other dis-ease that puts a question mark over the future, and a number of other human situations make parties and joviality painful for many people in our congregations and communities. There is a growing attentiveness to the needs of people who are blue at Christmas. Increasing numbers of churches are creating sacred space for people living through dark times. Such services are reflective, accepting where we really are, and holding out healing and hope.
Some churches hold a service of worship on the longest night of the year, which falls on or about December 21st, the Winter Solstice. There is an interesting convergence for this day as it is also the traditional feast day for Saint Thomas the Apostle. This linkage invites making some connections between Thomas's struggle to believe the tale of Jesus' resurrection, the long nights just before Christmas, and the struggle with darkness and grief faced by those living with loss."
I've had the privilege of attending two such services at Methodist churches during my own season of grief and loss. At once, even in a different church in a different town surrounded by different people, I was encouraged by the knowledge that others understood my pain and suffering. My reality and theirs were acknowledged: Christmas is not a happy time for everyone. People in a season of difficulty need to be seen and long to be known. A Blue Christmas service can be healing and affirming.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
Romans 12:15-16
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©2022 Julianne Knapp. First Published 12.20.22
Blue Christmas (also called the Longest Night) in the Western Christian tradition, is a day in the Advent season marking the longest night of the year. On this day, some churches in Western Christian denominations hold a church service that honors people that have lost loved ones and are experiencing grief.
Here is one church's description of their program:
"It is meant for people experiencing loss and facing difficult circumstances during the holidays. It is a quiet, more meditative service for those carrying pain or loss and allows those in attendance the opportunity to reflect and grieve in a quiet, gentle atmosphere.
The service is a way for the church to reach out to the hurting, who can at times get lost in seasonal celebrations. It offers a message of God’s love, a time for reflection and invitation to light a candle in memory of a loved one or in recognition of other losses."
Another explanation is here:
"Blue? Yes, blue as in the blues. As in "I am feeling blue." Not everyone is up and cheery for the Christmas holidays. Dealing with the death of a loved one, facing life after divorce or separation, coping with the loss of a job, living with cancer or some other dis-ease that puts a question mark over the future, and a number of other human situations make parties and joviality painful for many people in our congregations and communities. There is a growing attentiveness to the needs of people who are blue at Christmas. Increasing numbers of churches are creating sacred space for people living through dark times. Such services are reflective, accepting where we really are, and holding out healing and hope.
Some churches hold a service of worship on the longest night of the year, which falls on or about December 21st, the Winter Solstice. There is an interesting convergence for this day as it is also the traditional feast day for Saint Thomas the Apostle. This linkage invites making some connections between Thomas's struggle to believe the tale of Jesus' resurrection, the long nights just before Christmas, and the struggle with darkness and grief faced by those living with loss."
I've had the privilege of attending two such services at Methodist churches during my own season of grief and loss. At once, even in a different church in a different town surrounded by different people, I was encouraged by the knowledge that others understood my pain and suffering. My reality and theirs were acknowledged: Christmas is not a happy time for everyone. People in a season of difficulty need to be seen and long to be known. A Blue Christmas service can be healing and affirming.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
Romans 12:15-16
Subscribe to free weekly articles in your inbox HERE; your information will never be shared. :-)
©2022 Julianne Knapp. First Published 12.20.22