Blue Christmas

Christmas “blue” – funeral home service   Dec. 2014

This time of year is a season of too much: there is too much darkness, a landscape that is too bare, too much traffic, too much consumerism, too much chaos, too much food – drink –and merry making, too many things to do, too much pressure, and too much fake happiness and joy.

Despite all this, within my Lutheran tradition, the next four weeks are my favourite season within the church year. In the church this is the season of Advent – a time where Christmas is held at bay, a time of reflection, a time that looks for hope, seeks peace, craves love, and covets joy.  The colour of the season is blue. You see the season is not about merry-making, it is about remembering who we are, where we have come from, and where our future might lead.  It is a time where we refrain from “too much.”  It is a time where we do not need to put on airs and feel the need to be fake happy – we can be sad, depressed, alone, grieving – seeking comfort.

During this season we read words from the prophet Isaiah, words that you may know from Handel’s Messiah:

Comfort, O Comfort my peoples says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her ...

A voice cries out: in the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low, the uneven ground level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Words of hope spoken to a people in exile, thousands of years ago. Words of comfort repeated by Handel for his Messiah.  Words of comfort and hope read again and again, within Judeo-Christian circles.   The words of the prophet speak to a people who are grieving their homeland, a way of life, their traditions and religious practices – the words offer hope in the image of an easy passage through the desert. Who wouldn’t appreciate a little more ease in times of crisis, an ease to everyday life, an ease to the hurts and pains human beings experience?

This year I need the season of Advent, a season of blue, even more than usual.  At the end of August my dad died. Since I have been a pastor I have not spent Christmas with my parents who live three provinces away, yet I know that this Christmas will feel different. I am different. I understand a depth of sadness I have not experienced before. It’s a sadness that has settled in and become a permanent part of who I am. The words of the prophets, especially those of Isaiah, are overflowing with an abundance of hope ... I feel the words differently because there is a great sadness to comfort.  Because of my father’s passing I more fully grasp hope; and as I have grasped hope there is a greater sense of peace and contentment. Dare I say I am joyful because hope has blossomed and is blossoming in a new way.

  In his later years, my dad crafted intricate Christmas decorations on his scroll saw. Every family member, down through the grandchildren, have a collection of his works of art.  He was very specific about the decorations – particularly in their theme.  Each one is religious in nature, with the intent of spreading his understanding of Good News.  The decorations were to be a sign of hope pointing to the glory of God.

The idea was to continually remind those whom he loved that there is hope through the darkness, peace amidst the chaos, love despite feelings of being alone, and joy that is not a fake-happy but rather a contentment with what is. 

This year, through the other side of death, my dad continues to share the Good News.  This angel is one that my dad made. It is edged in blue stain – reminding us to embrace sadness and grief – the angel cradles a bird in its hands to reassure each of us that we do not walk alone; we are held in God’s hands, we are held by this community – a shared grief, a shared seeking of hope; we are not alone.  The angel also offers a promise: that to everything there is a season; a season for laments and one for joyous singing; and as we live in Nova Scotia the season might change instantly without warning. 

Over the next few weeks, embrace the angel songs –whether laments or joyous acclamations.

Be present for each other, open with family and friends about the season you are in, share tears, and laughter, stories, remembrances, and create new traditions.

Carry with you the words of the prophet, as words of hope and words for action: Comfort, O comfort my people says your God.

As you comfort others, you also will be comforted; here you will find God – love, hope, peace will be exchanged and grow into joy for the present and for time eternal.

Peace be with you.