by Brita Park
Feeling the Christmas blahs? Not everyone is merry at this, the darkest time of the year. Those grieving a loss, feeling alone, despairing, angry, unloved, anxious, or regretful find holiday time a burden rather than a joy. A group in Oliver preparing for the annual Blue Christmas Service wants the public to know those feelings are perfectly normal, that such people are not alone in their Christmas “blues”.
Everyone in the Oliver area is invited to attend the Blue Christmas Service at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday December 23 at the Oliver Lutheran Centre (formerly St John’s) on the corner of Okanagan and Veterans. Four area churches, together with the Desert Valley Hospice Society and sponsor Nunes-Pottinger Funeral Service, are co-ordinating this non-denominational event. The candlelit service offers comforting readings and gentle music. Blue Christmas has proved over the years to be meaningful to many from the whole “rainbow” of world-views, both faith-based and secular. The service is non-intrusive and respectful, with a quiet, meaningful simplicity. Blue Christmas welcomes all, especially those who don’t feel particularly “jolly” or “Christmassy” right now.
The slowed down, quiet time during the service not only gives us a chance to catch our breath in a hectic week, it also allows us to think about some of the past year’s tough times–for us personally, for friends or family, for our global community. Without all the inevitable distractions of the holiday season’s busy-ness and noise, in the quiet shadow of the evening, we can hear what our own hearts wish to tell us. We may admit to ourselves how difficult all the well-meant cheer of gift-giving, well-wishing, and feasting has become for us this year. It is okay to bring this burden of darkness that we carry within us: our particular sadness, pain, loss, suffering, loneliness, or fear of the future. There is opportunity in the service for a symbolic laying down of our burdens, exchanging them for a hopeful light.
Even if we ourselves don’t feel particularly burdened by holiday pressures, we can come to Blue Christmas as companions or advocates of people who feel lost and fearful, who are desperately seeking protection, warmth, meaning and belonging. Many choose to invite and accompany someone who is in need of support. It is a comforting way to honour and include someone feeling lost at a stressful time.
Quiet reflection, a few words, simple actions, soft music, companionship and light refreshments. Blue Christmas hints at possibilities, that for some a burden may be lightened, a candle lit, a carol hummed with renewed hope. Blue Christmas invites us to allow some light into our darkness–to learn and grow from our pain–as this season grants us a bit more daylight every day going forward.