Speaking of Spirit

As we enter the third week of Advent, - the week associated with Joy - we light the pink or rose colored candle. This candle is called the Shepherd's Candle.  Contemplating all this, observing advent, has been more of a chore than in the past. This season, the pain of grief has weighed heavy on my heart and soul, teaching me the true meaning of a Blue Christmas. This year, I became that last member of my immediate family, w hen my brother, Barry, died. I am blessed with family still - four daughters, eleven grandchildren, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins - but, my "family" - the family of my childhood - is gone. Never could I have imagined the hole this would cut into your heart and soul. So, how does one "celebrate" with this profound grief? To be honest, I am taking it one second, minute, hour, day at a time. I look for goodness in the world. Barry, during one of our last times together, asked us all to do good things for each other and the world. Those ...

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 strugg...