Faith Lutheran will once again be hosting a Blue Christmas Service this year. Blue Christmas is a service that marks the longest night of the year, and it has been practised by many mainline traditions including, but not limited to: Lutherans, Catholics, Anglicans, Methodists, Reformed, United, and Moravians. Sydenham-Heritage United Church here in Brantford used to host one every year.
This will be a Healing Service that honours those experiencing grief, mental unwellness, seasonal depression, loneliness, and isolation. Though Advent and Christmas are happy and joyous seasons, many people experience increased depression over the holidays.
Many people remember loved ones they have lost, or they feel their isolation more deeply, many people in Canada begin their long struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder around this time of year.
Blue Christmas is an opportunity to heal, to have solidarity, and to look to one another and God for hope. This day is also the Feast of Saint Thomas and invites us to make connections between Saint Thomas’s struggle to believe in Jesus’ resurrection, the long nights just before Christmas, and the grief of those struggling with mental illness or loss.
Please join us if you are comfortable and as you are able.
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