Blue Holidays

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Photo Credit: Office Publisher Clipart

Several years ago, I heard the term Blue Christmas Service for the first time. I was not aware of this term or tradition. I looked up the term and found this explanation: 

"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 hold a church service that honors people who have lost loved ones in that year. The Holy Eucharist is traditionally a part of the service of worship on this day. 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." (Wikipedia: Retrieved 11/25/18)

This past year has been very difficult for many people both on a personal and global level. With that in mind, I wish to offer a place for those who are grieving to share, not simply for Christmas, but for any and all the Holy Days observed on or around the Winter Solstice.
Throughout the month of December, I will post various opportunities to do just that...create a place for all of us to heal and find peace.  (Please feel free to share with others. Please be gentle and kind in your comments to others posts.)

Let us gather here to observe Blue Holidays during the Season of Light, Love and Peace, realizing that this is not a time of joyous celebration for many people around the world. Let us remember our loved ones. Let us share our pain caused by the loss of those we don't know. Let us help each other to heal and find peace.

As Brian Jacques wrote in Taggerung, “Don't be ashamed to weep; 'tis right to grieve. Tears are only water, and flowers, trees, and fruit cannot grow without water. But there must be sunlight also. A wounded heart will heal in time, and when it does, the memory and love of our lost ones is sealed inside to comfort us.” 




 

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