Blue Christmas

I read an article today about a Blue Christmas.  It's more than a mediocre song once done by Elvis.  Its a movement that is catching on in a few churches.  They realize that this season is a time of conflicting emotions for some people, so they hold a service or gathering time for them. 

Persons may have lost a spouse or child or experienced some other kind of loss this year, or year's past, around the holidays.  All of the colored lights don't quite sparkle as much for them.  We sing "Peace on Earth" but they find it hard to make peace in their heart with what has transpired in their lives.  Ornaments on the tree given by now distant or deceased loved ones bring bittersweet memories.

I have experienced this twice.  Once when we lost my wife's mother, and once when an estranged member of our family was "on the road" and we didn't know where he was.  Military families feel this, too, when service people are deployed overseas, for sure, but especially when their loved won't ever be coming home.

As I drive down my street there are lots of outside light displays.  Most have Christmas trees inside with lights on them, too  The blinking ones bug me, but in general I enjoy seeing them. Sometimes I've wondered why everybody doesn't put up at least a little something. But, maybe they aren't just in the mood.

I'm changing my mind.

Christmas comes, whether we are in the mood to celebrate it or not.  And it's not ultimately about gifts, or lights or feasting. As Charlie Brown reminds us, it's about God coming to be with us.  A God who says "Come to me, all who are weak and heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
 
Kudos to those faith communities who take time to reach out to the "blue" in what is a busy season for all of us. More of us should join you.