Blue Christmas Service, Dec. 22, 2019 (full size gallery)
Our first “Blue Christmas Service” entitled” “A Christmas Service of Peace and Comfort” was held Dec. 22 , 4:30pm at St. Peter’s.
We advertised it this way -” the Christmas Season a time when you feel sad, lonely, or depressed? We invite you to join us at this service to acknowledge these feelings and share in a time of reflection on the pain, sadness, or loneliness you may feel. We pray that you will find hope and comfort in knowing that you are not alone with this service. ”
The setting of the service at 4:30pm at the winter solstice echoed the darkness of people’s lives. In contrast to this the candles in the windows and the altar candles provided an alternative setting.
The words through prayers provided a petition. “Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.”
“Tonight we gather, daring to wonder if God has indeed come in Jesus—discerning the rejection we have known, intimate with our failed relationships, holding our heartache in hands of tenderness.
“Tonight we gather with neighbors and strangers, a family made one by our brokenness; Coming with our hearts full of hope, and our heads filled with doubts.
“Tonight we gather just as we are, For God has promised to meet us here and to welcome us for who we are…”
“You have promised to go before us: into our brokenness, into hospital rooms, into empty houses, into graveyards, into our future held by God, and you are here, even now, waiting for each of us: to serve us, to hold us, to comfort us, to heal us, to live in us, now and for ever. Amen.”
Inspirational readings included Isaiah chapter 49:14-16a, Psalm 80 and Matthew Gospel’s, Matthew, Chapter 11, verses 28 through 30. “Jesus said, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
The music was a lifter of spirits. It started with “Bethlehem Pastorale” performed by Denise Gregory and Mary Peterman.
We invited Connexion Chamber Choir to participate in this service. It is a 30 voice community choir founded in August 2018 by Benjamin Swanson in an effort to bring people together in the Colonial Beach area through the beauty and power of choral singing.
They performed “Break Forth (Bach), “For Unto Us a Child is Born” and “What Sweeter Music”.
The highlight of the service was the section of “Lighting of candles” which included “Lully, Lulla, Lullay” and the “Seal Lullaby”. It was very ethereal especially when the descant came in. People came forward lit a candle and placed it in the pot remembering people we may have lost, a longing not fulfilled a particular hope.