It’s been almost twenty years since my Nana died. I was very close with my grandparents; my grandpa had died five years before Nana. It was a dark and painful time for me, as losing her was like losing him all over again. I was consumed with grief. I was living in Marblehead at the time. One day I wandered into the Congregational Church just down the road from my apartment. I asked to speak with the minister, and explained that I was going through a difficult time grieving my grandparents. As luck would have it the associate pastor, Patricia Long, was offering a bereavement group that would start that very week. I was hesitant and nervous about going but forged ahead. Those six or seven weeks of gathering were transformational for me and my peers in the group. I could finally begin to heal and feel some lightness enter my heart and soul. Come Christmas time, however, it all came flooding back. I dreaded hearing Christmas carols, and didn’t know how I could ever get through Silent Night. That same pastor, Patricia, offered what she called a “Blue Christmas”. It was an evening church service, held on December 21st, the longest day of the year. Apparently the idea originated in Canada and was created to acknowledge that the holidays can be a difficult and sad time. It was a beautiful, meaningful service that gave me a space to bring my pain and sadness. It wasn’t a magic wand, and that Christmas was still very painful. However, I felt reassured that amidst all of the commercialized uber Christmas joy, I was not alone. It was a comforting reminder that God is with me every step of the way. I’ve longed to offer a Blue Christmas at our church, and am so appreciative that Anita Nicoll was a willing participant. If you are someone you love is experiencing tough times and in need of comfort and consolation, grieving over the loss of a loved one, struggling with illness or having experienced the loss of a job or relationship, we invite you to join us on December 21st at 6:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Come experience a time of quiet reflection, meaningful words and music that may bring you hope, comfort and renewal.
A prayer for healing:
God of comfort,
You know that we come to you with heavy hearts that we find hard to unburden. It is particularly in this time of year when the darkness of long solstice nights collides with the brilliance of Christmas lights, that we find it hard to express our losses. We may be confused, sad, lonely and felling our losses without remembering that you are always there to support us. We tend even toward anger at you, because we feel in some way it is your will that we are unhappy. Sometimes we feel cut off from you because we allow our many hurts to engulf us. Open us to the understanding that you are the source of all love and we need not feel so alone in our grief. Grant us wisdom to know that you most of all can be trusted, and you are with us, especially when we are at our absolute worst.
We receive your mercy, your care and your grace today.
Amen
A prayer for healing:
God of comfort,
You know that we come to you with heavy hearts that we find hard to unburden. It is particularly in this time of year when the darkness of long solstice nights collides with the brilliance of Christmas lights, that we find it hard to express our losses. We may be confused, sad, lonely and felling our losses without remembering that you are always there to support us. We tend even toward anger at you, because we feel in some way it is your will that we are unhappy. Sometimes we feel cut off from you because we allow our many hurts to engulf us. Open us to the understanding that you are the source of all love and we need not feel so alone in our grief. Grant us wisdom to know that you most of all can be trusted, and you are with us, especially when we are at our absolute worst.
We receive your mercy, your care and your grace today.
Amen
