Let’s be honest. Christmastime does not always bring the joy and happiness that the various forms of advertising or greeting cards bring each December.
The death of a loved one, divorce or fractured relationships, those who feel overwhelmed by the holidays – all these situations can inspire difficulty with the season.
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Long-held emotional trauma, wounds that are as fresh as today, memories that shape our Christmas experiences –
they all can be present at this time of the year when we are almost demanded to experience joy and happiness.
Sometimes these issues are very personal. Sometimes they are national, even global, like the horror that was visited upon Newtown, CT this past week.
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In recent years, many congregations have attempted to reach out to people who feel such burdens by adding a Blue Christmas service on the longest night of the year.
This year, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Trexlertown, at Trexlertown Road and Church Lane – just south of Hamilton Boulevard – is hosting their annual Blue Christmas Service on Friday, Dec. 21, at 7 p.m.
Pastors Al and Carol Bastin have been hosting Blue Christmas Services for almost two decades, since they were pastoring different congregations in Michigan.
“We have found the service to be enormously helpful
to those who deal with various issues. I remember one service where we had two people. We’ve had as many as 50. It all depends on the year and the circumstances in people’s lives,” said Pastor Al.
Pastor Carol agreed. “What we want to do is provide a worship experience where people can connect with God in their own way. The Sanctuary is dimmed, scripture and prayers are used, and people are given the opportunity to
light a candle in memory or just in acknowledgement of their particular pain. Pastor Al and I are available if someone wants to talk with us during the candle lighting time. Some want to talk, others wish not to. But the comments we always tend to get after the service are how meaningful and even healing the service has been.”
“Symbolically, we always hold the service on the 21st,
since it is the longest night of the year,” according
to Pastor Al. “As always, we will focus on the comfort God offers us in difficult times. Some come to the service,
without particular grief, but just because they find the service so comforting.”