Christmas might be the most wonderful time of the year for many, but for some it’s a difficult period where loss is deeply felt.
That’s why some local churches are organizing Blue Christmas services, to offer comfort and solace to those who need it most.
“Christmas brings back a lot of memories good and bad,” says the Rev'd Canon of St. John's Church, Katherine Morgan, in an interview with ThoroldToday. “It’s hard sometimes to fake being happy when your heart is breaking. It’s just nice to have a quiet place where you can have a moment to honour Christmas rather than trying to pretend you’re happy when you’re not feeling it.”
Morgan says she was first introduced to the concept of a Blue Christmas service early in her ministry.
“A long time ago [my mentor] introduced me to that service and everywhere I’ve been I've had one,” she says. “Some churches do it around the solstice. That sense of how dark it will be in the world but there is light coming that will bring hope and good news.”
Trinity United Church on Pine St S. is also hosting a Blue Christmas service.
“There are many people who can’t enjoy the Christmas season because of losses,” Trinity United’s Student Minister Yujene Oh tells ThoroldToday. “For some people it may be the loss of a life partner or a family member. For others it may be the loss of a job or a long-held, cherished dream. This service is to let them know that: ‘You are not alone.’”
Oh hopes that her Blue Christmas service reaches as many people as possible, regardless of faith.
“Church should be a place where everyone can stay and find comfort,” she says. “It’s important to embrace all the people in the world and I would like to let them feel that they’re not alone in this world. Maybe Trinity United Church offers the place for them to be all together.”
Holding a Blue Christmas service is more important now than ever, says Morgan.
“A lot of people are worried about things financially,” she says. “Sometimes you just need a quiet place to be a little more reflective and a little bit more sombre, and you don’t have to be ‘Fa-la-la-la.’”
St. John's Church is holding their Blue Christmas Service at 12 Carleton St S. on Thursday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m.
Trinity United Church will hold a Blue Christmas Service at 15 Pine St S. on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 10:30 a.m.
