In addition of an unexpected visitor needing pastoral care, planning the music for several upcoming services, and working on a few tech things for the church… Much of the rest of my day was spent planning for the Advent/Christmas season: Buying some online scripts for our church drama team to perform on three of the weeks of Advent, finding and planning the readings to be read while lighting the Advent wreath candles during the 4 weeks of Advent and Christmas Eve, and planning our Blue Christmas Service. ’Tis the season, right?!
Blue Christmas was a new concept to me until about a decade or so ago. But it has quickly become one of my favourite services of the season. It is a quiet and reflective service, specifically tailored for those who are dealing with the lost of a loved one, or depression, or grief of any other sort. As the Bible says, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted.” For many, the Christmas season can be a struggle. Missing loved ones who have passed away, or living a great distance from family and dear friends. Being single and alone for yet another year. Dealing with the challenge of wanting to buy presents for the kids and cooking up a big feast… but not having the financial means. There are lots of reasons to be “blue” this time of year. But culture (and church) don’t often make room for that. We want parties and jingle bells, festive songs and colourful decorations… Of course! But what about those who just… aren’t there? Well, that’s who this service is for.
Allow me to set the scene a little for you:
As you enter the sanctuary, you would find the room lights set low, with the warm glow of candlelight shining softly from around the stage. There are also some unlit candles at the front of the stage for people to light in remembrance of their loved ones if they so choose.
The service is contemplative and reflective, interspersed with prayers and responsive readings. The music is quiet and simple. Maybe a guitar and a piano, and a voice or two, singing songs like O Come O Come Emmanuel, O Holy Night, Silent Night, and It Came Upon a Midnight Clear… People are welcome to sing along, or simply stay seated and listen. There is also one original song I plan to sing again this year. It was somewhat inspired the year a family from our church lost their husband/father. I wanted to find a song they could relate to… but ended up writing one instead. I’ve sung it every year since. My own dad passed away in 2024, so this past year was the first Christmas without him… and this song hit harder for me than ever before. It is called “It Doesn’t Feel like Christmas This Year”. I’ve never officially released it (yet). Just a simple recording and lyric video. I hope you enjoy. And feel free to comment if you think we should do a full studio recording of it to release on all of the streaming platforms.