Waiting for Jesus...

BLUE CHRISTMAS

December 13, 2018

There is a prayer on the back of your leaflet that begins, "This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it might be."

I think this prayer is "right on." It is a prayer that asks God to help us to stand bravely, to sit quietly, and to lie low patiently and gallantly. Perhaps most importantly it is a prayer that beseeches God to give us the Spirit of Jesus. To welcome into our hearts the very God who created us.

This is a helpful prayer to remember as we move through the holiday season with memories flooding our minds and deep emotions of sadness and possibly regret tugging at our hearts and souls. Perhaps a tinge of envy creeps in as we watch those not impacted by grief – or at least recent grief – hurry about their busy lives. They look like they are having so much fun shopping, attending parties, decorating their house and planning for that big day – Christmas.

For those of us, recently bereaved, this is not the case. All these joyous activities are for those who are still couples, still families. All this joy and merriment is for those not weighted down by broken hearts, the pain of grief and perhaps the pangs of regret over relationships, now gone, the sadness over words left unsaid, and, frequently, the guilt at the realization that our ways of being together perhaps could have been better.

After many years of counseling bereaved family members, it is clear to me that there is no antidote to grief. No relief from the pain that comes when a loved one slips away and is no longer there to hold, to chat with, to love. There is no way to fill the emptiness – no replacement for the loss.

I have also discovered, however, that being with others – being part of a community – is critically important. The opportunity to share stories, to shed tears on a comforting shoulder – to be cared for by fellow journeymen in this transitory life – to experience compassionate companionship allows the healing process to begin.

Of most importance, however, is remembering what this Advent season, despite all its rushing about, what this brief period of time signifies for us Christians. In spite of the distractions of families and friends rushing here and there preparing for Christmas Day – despite the joyous preparations that cause that extra tug of grief deep within our heart and soul, we must make every attempt to reflect upon the true meaning of the season and the only true gift, sent by God, the gift of Jesus, the gift of love, the gift of forgiveness, the gift of salvation – the gift of someone who will walk beside us in compassion and love always. Always and for evermore.

The psalmist wrote:

I lift up my eyes to the hills—
   from where will my help come?
² My help comes from the Lord,
   who made heaven and earth.
³ He will not let your foot be moved;
   he who keeps you will not slumber.
⁴ He who keeps Israel
   will neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The Lord is your keeper;
   the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
⁶ The sun shall not strike you by day,
   nor the moon by night.
⁷ The Lord will keep you from all evil;
   he will keep your life.
⁸ The Lord will keep
   your going out and your coming in
   from this time on and for evermore. (Psalm 121)

What beautiful words, what comforting words. "The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and for evermore."

This evening's Blue Christmas service is meant to be a sacred time for us to draw close to God - to hear, really hear, his comforting words, and to experience, truly experience, his compassionate presence through our encounter with light, love, music, and prayer. Our time together here is meant to be a time to smile as we remember fond memories and to shed tears as we experience the emptiness of loss.

Within this sacred space and with those with whom we experience the bond of our sacred community, it is a time to utter both silently and aloud sacred words, beseeching God to prepare us for what another day will bring. A time to ask for the courage to stand bravely, to sit quietly, to lie low patiently and gallantly, and wait – wait patiently and gallantly for the Spirit of Jesus to arrive in our hearts, in our souls this Christmas Eve.

In a moment we will begin the process of lighting candles and praying. First, we will light the candles on the small altar in the center aisle. Following that, you are invited to approach the main altar and light a candle, or candles, for your loved one. We have also placed crayons on the main altar. Please feel free to write any words that spring into your heart next to your candle. Breathe deeply, take your time – make this a sacred time in this sacred space.

Should you want anointing with Holy Oil, Fr. David and I will be standing by to pray with you and anoint you.

God Bless you my friends. Remember you are loved – God loves you always, not matter what. Remember, you are never alone – God is with you always – no matter where.