by Brita Park
Oliver likes its cheerful community traditions. From the Easter Egg hunt, to the Sunshine Festival, parade and all, to the Festival of the Grape, Fall Art Show and Halloween’s Scareview —we know how to mark the seasons in a joyful, inclusive, community-oriented way. In winter, our community gets particularly active, with craft fairs, musical offerings, and, of course, the Light-Up and shopping during “midnight madness.” These early winter traditions are all a cheerful lead-up to the season’s holidays, which we each celebrate in our own meaningful ways. Looking around town these days, it all seems so merry, with all the lights and decorations. There is an anticipation of joyful gatherings and meaningful celebrations in the air. Many will mark Christmas and New Year’s in a circle of family, friends and perhaps also within a religious community.
Yet for some, “making merry” is difficult. Loneliness, anxiety, confusion, anger, apathy, grief, or depression can hit particularly hard during the Christmas season. Lights and songs and presents and cards can’t take away sorrow or anxiety. Our awareness of world-wide suffering, violence, injustice, and environmental concerns, or unresolved personal burdens – any of these can threaten to break our spirit. Some need a quiet refuge where that world-weary burden can be acknowledged and perhaps lessened. A time when there is no social obligation to be cheery. We crave words of reassurance, understanding, hope and peace.
In response, various local churches and sponsors offer a different kind of Christmas tradition, specifically for those feeling “blue”. For ten years now, the popular Blue Christmas Service has been held on or near the darkest day of the year. This winter, Blue Christmas will occur on the longest night, Sunday, December 21 at 7:00 p.m. in the Oliver Lutheran Centre, (former St. John’s, on Okanagan St. and Veteran’s Way). Gentle music, readings, hymns, meditative silence, and a candle-light ritual all create an opportunity for reflection, unburdening and renewed hope. The ecumenical service is presented by volunteers from several local churches, and sponsored by Nunes-Pottinger Funeral Service and Desert Valley Hospice Society. The evening will provide a quiet hour in a low-key setting. Afterward, participants are welcome to remain in the candlelight for continued reflection, speak to available clergy or counsellors, or share in some refreshments downstairs. Blue Christmas: a decade-old tradition to which all are invited.