​Blue Christmas

Not everyone may be looking forward to Advent or Christmas. Please: no Bing Crosby’s White Christmas, no yule log crackling in the fireplace, no Christmas cookies and hot cocoa, no holiday dinners or decorations, nope – for some, nothing may brighten things up this year.

If you aren’t in this group, you may be aware of some of their situations:

• The results of my doctor’s tests are back – it’s terminal…
• My dear Grandmother passed away – we were so close…
• I’m now unemployed and money is tight; car payments, mortgage/rent, food, medicine – I don’t know what is going to happen to us…
• I’m all alone now – all my family and friends are gone (or estranged)…
• Despite living and working here for years, I’m undocumented and facing deportation…
• My pet and long-time companion was severely injured and had to be put down…
• I’m so worried for my teen – they are afraid to come out as LGBTQIA+ due to possible loss of relatives and friends and the vitriol from those unwilling or unable to see and accept them for who they are…
• A very close friend has succumbed to internet conspiracy theories and QANON; nothing I can say or do seems able to restore our lost friendship…

…and this list is only a sampling of the blue stories. There are many of us wishing the trauma(s) of the past several years would simply disappear.

However, Advent can be an invitation to all these blues: melancholy blue, born under a bad sign blue, homesick blue, even darker dark-dark blue. Inviting to go deep: deep into the mystery and deep into our very grounding. Waiting, lingering to feel all the blues, breathing, and taking in all the pain – and the beauty – of creation.

If you are blue yourself, or if you know someone who is blue, St. Paul’s offers an invitation to this year’s Blue Christmas Service at 7 PM on Wednesday, December 22 in the Sanctuary, or attend via Facebook Live from the website.