Actually, it is a special service acknowledging the weariness of our world this year, the losses we’ve seen and the grief we carry. It’s a service where we recognize that Christmas, especially in 2020, is not like a Christmas Card. This year many of us will not gather with family and friends at all, or if we do gather, there will be empty seats at the table. For many of us, Christmas is more “blue” than red and green, or full of sparkles. And Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, God-with-us comes to us in our sorrow and sadness, to bring us the hope, love, joy and peace that only He can bring.
There is a special “Blue Christmas” bag in your Home Advent Box, especially for this service, and you can use it then! It contains candles for our losses, matches, a bandage to write hurts, a card to encourage yourself or write scriptures, some play-doh for stress relief, and a tiny bottle for “tears.”