The popularity of “Blue Christmas” services has grown significantly, providing a space during the Advent season to honor those experiencing grief and loss during the holiday season. The trend was not initiated by Elvis Presley’s hit song but traced back to a country cover in 1950.
December 21, the winter solstice, marks the longest night of the year, prompting some churches to host “Blue Christmas” services acknowledging life’s darkness. As the holiday season approaches, these services emphasize inclusivity, welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds and beliefs to find support and encouragement through music, prayer, and messages of hope.
Old Stone Church in Cleveland is hosting its second Blue Christmas worship service, providing a quiet and contemplative alternative for those finding the holidays challenging due to loss or depression. Reverend Stephen C. Blonder Adams emphasizes the service’s simplicity in a smaller chapel with plain decorations and reflective music. Last year, over 60 people attended to honor grief and loss. The church, embracing diversity, plays a vital role in the community, supporting marginalized individuals through projects addressing homelessness, re-entry from incarceration, and domestic abuse.
“Blue Christmas” services offer a space for reflection and remembrance, particularly for those dealing with loss, addiction, or challenging relationships during the Christmas season, and foster community support. According to Ben Stewart, who teaches worship at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, the Christmas story incorporates darkness and challenges, emphasizing the promise of God’s entrance into a world that experiences both joy and hardship. Stewart suggests that Christians need liturgies and theologies capable of holding both the blues and the joy of Christmas, fostering a deep, hopeful, midnight-blue perspective that looks toward the dawn.
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