BLUE CHRISTMAS: A Liturgy for Healing
Much of the content of this service relies upon the
January 2013 Seasonal online worship resources of the United Methodist Church: https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/blue-christmas-a-service-of-reflection-for-the-longest-night
Companionship in Dallas is a partnership between Mt. Olive Lutheran Church and Pathways to Promise, a national non-profit organization working with the ELCA (Lutheran) and UMC (Methodist) denomination to assist congregations in better supporting folks dealing with issues of Mental Health. Pastor Todd's Blog posts, like this one, express the importance of experiments like this in Companionship. Companionship in worship as well as in service and mission: https://bruningt.wixsite.com/companionship/post/i-ll-have-a-blue-christmas-without-you
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BLESSING: Candice & Cat P.
WELCOME: Todd B.
A) READER 1: Jermine A. How do we take care of Ourselves?
A) READER 2: Marie
B) READER 3: Mark M. For what are we Watching & Waiting?
B) READER 4: Jackie L.
C) READER 5: Rose P. What Losses are burdening us most?
C) READER 6: Madeline
D) READER 7: Pam M. Whose Absence do we honor most?
D) READER 8: Bud B.
E) READER 9*: Fred B. What helps us Hope for Healing?
E) READER 10: Steve B.
BENEDICTION: Candice & Cat P.
BLESSING & WELCOME
CAT: God cares about us all. Sometimes we forget that. But a Blue Christmas service is designed to remind us how much God cares, even when it's hard for us to remember. And God keeps sending us angels to remind us. So we begin our worship service with this reminder:
CANDICE: God Bless Us Every One!!
TODD: We pause here to state what is obvious, but also very easy to miss. God welcomes you to this worship. We can voice that welcome to each other. But it is God that brought us here. And God that brought us together ...
A. An EXPERIMENT: What is Companionship Worship?
READER 1: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
ALL: Those of us who live in a land of deep darkness —
on us light has shined!!
READER 1: A Liturgy of Healing is the bit of work that we do together in this time and place. Our work is simply to turn to God for deliverance; It is God's work to redeem and deliver. Our work is a gift of faith; God's work is a gift of faithfulness. Join us in singing, confessing, and proclaiming our Blues, on this longest night of the year, this Eve Before Christmas.
We light this FIRST Blue Candle to remember OURSELVES this Holy Day season. Join us as we pause and remember the past weeks, months, and for some of us years, that have been heavy with our burdens. We accept and lay before you, God, the sharpness of memory, the sadness and grief, the hurt and fear, the anger and pain.
We accept and lay before you the ways we may feel we have fallen short, the times we have spent blaming ourselves, blaming you, for all that we have suffered. We accept and lay before you the times we have walked alone, in darkness; in knowledge of our own mortality.
ALL: We remember that though winter be upon us and though the night be dark, with the turning of the Wheel the dawn will come,
and dawn defeats the darkness. We remember Emmanuel: God With Us. Come to us, Emmanuel: God With Us. Amen.
Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel, with Come to Us
This video is a preview for the song "Come to Us with O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" from the Christmas musical "Christmas Is Real." For more information visit https://brentwoodbenson.com/Choral/Christmas/Christmas-Is-Real/0025J05190AF
PREPARE: The Way of the Lord
MATTHEW 11 - KJV
READER 2: And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. 2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? 4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
KINDLED REFLECTIONS A: Two or three people may offer brief thoughts
kindled by the Candle One readings ...or music ... or this question ...
"What does Self Care look like for you this season?"
B) CANDLE TWO:
B. KEEP WATCH: But for What are we Keeping Watch?
OFFERING: May I Will Lend You a Bit of Oil?
MATTHEW 25
READER 3: “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ 12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Daon Drisdom '20 MM performs the traditional spiritual Keep Your Lamps Trimmed And Burning in NEC's Brown Hall. This performance is a part of NEC Black Student Union's celebration of alumna Coretta Scott King, Continuation of a Dream.
André Jerome Thomas is an American composer and conductor. He served as a professor of music at Florida State University and the artistic director for the Tallahassee Community Chorus. In addition to his conducting and composition credits, Thomas is a published author, having written Way Over in Beulah Lan': Understanding and Performing the Negro Spiritual, and numerous journal articles.
KINDLED REFLECTIONS 2: Two or three people may offer brief thoughts
kindled by the Candle Two readings ... or music ... or this question:
"What are you watching or waiting for this season?"
Our BLUE CHRISTMAS Liturgy of Healing B:
READER 4: We light this SECOND candle to remember faith, the gift of light and hope that God offers to us in the stories of Hanukkah and of Christmas,. Both traditional Holy Day Stories began in abandonment, insecurity, and humbleness, in a time of war and in a poor stable.
We remember that the loving God who kept the light shining in the temple and who came to share this life with us promises us comfort and peace.
ALL: We remember the One who shares our burdens, who shows us the way to the Light, and who journeys with us into all our tomorrows. We remember Emmanuel: God With Us. Come to us, Emmanuel: God With Us. Amen.
C) CANDLE THREE:
C. PEACE: How does God bring Good News to ALL ... even those of us experiencing Loss??
GOOD NEWS: Of Great Joy
LUKE 2:
READER 5: And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another,
“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened,
which the Lord has told us about.”
Tune by Gustav Holst. Words by Christina Rossetti, 1872.
This version is by The Priests in their Noel Christmas Album
Choir of Kings College, Cambridge, Choir of Men and Boys
LYRICS:
In the bleak mid-winter, Frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, Water like a stone; Snow had fallen, snow on snow, Snow on snow, In the bleak mid-winter. Long ago.
Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, Nor earth sustain; Heaven and earth shall flee away, When He comes to reign: In the bleak mid-winter, A stable-place sufficed The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.
Enough for Him, whom cherubim, Worship night and day, A breastful of milk, And a mangerful of hay; Enough for Him, whom angels, Fall down before, The ox and ass and camel, Which adore.
Angels and archangels, May have gathered there, Cherubim and seraphim, Thronged the air, But only His motherm In her maiden bliss, Worshipped the Beloved, With a kiss.
What can I give Him, Poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb, If I were a wise man, I would do my part, Yet what I can I give Him, Give my heart.
KINDLED REFLECTIONS C: Two or three people may offer brief thoughts
kindled by the Candle Three readings ... or music ... or this question:
"Is there a loss that it might help to share this season?"
Our BLUE CHRISTMAS Liturgy of Healing C:
READER 6: We light this THIRD candle to remember the pain of loss: loss of relationships, loss of trust, loss of jobs, loss of health, loss of faith, the loss of joy. We acknowledge and embrace the pain of the past, O God, and we offer it to You, asking that into our wounded hearts and open hands You will place the gift of peace and wholeness, the gift of "shalom".
ALL: We remember that through You all things are possible. Refresh, restore, renew us, Oh God, and lead us into Your new year, into Your future prepared, with love, for us. We remember Emmanuel: God With Us.
Come to us, Emmanuel: God With Us. Amen.
D) CANDLE FOUR:
D. MY GOD, MY GOD: Why is it we so often do Not Know Who You Are?
REST: No One Can Hinder Me
PSALM 22 & 23:
READER 7: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, so far from the words of my groaning?
ALL: O my God, I cry by day but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.
READER 7: In you, our ancestors trusted. They trusted and you delivered them. It was you who brought me from the womb, you who kept me safe on my mother's breast. Since my mother bore me, you have been my God.
ALL: Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.
READER 7: God does not despise the affliction of the afflicted. God does not hide from me. When I cry to God, God hears me. Thanks be to God.
ALL: The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
READER 7: He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his Name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death ...
ALL: I will fear no evil; for thou art with me;
READER 7: Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou annointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
ALL: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Sweet Little Jesus Boy (Starting at 33:31)
My friend and colleague, Karla Nivens serves as the Worship Leader and Director for the Cornerstone Contemporary Worship Service at Highland Park United Methodist Church. She has also performed with Grammy award-winning Gospel recording artists Kirk Franklin, CeCe Winans, Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, Crystal Lewis, Willie Neal Johnson, John P. Kee, Alvin Slaughter, Tamela Mann, and Michael Buble’. During the challenges of 2020 we have prayed together almost every Monday in a small group. The support of this group has been a sustaining force during many challenges this year, thanks be to God!!
LYRICS:
Sweet little Jesus boy, They made you be born in a manger, Lord ... Sweet little holy child, we didn't know who you were Didn't know you'd come to save us Lord, To take our sins away Our eyes were blind, we could not see, We didn't know it was you.
You done told us how, When you were dying, Master, You done showed us how, Even when you were dying. Don't sing like we can do right, Look how we treated you, But please Sir, forgive us Lord, We didn't know it was you
You done told us how, Even when you were dying Master you have shown us how, Even when you were dying The world treats you mean Lord, Treats me mean too But that's how things are down here, We don't know who you are
Sweet little Jesus boy, they made you be born in a manger, Lord, Sweet little holy child, And we didn't know it was you.
Casting Crowns is a contemporary Christian rock band started in 1999 as part of a youth group at First Baptist Church in Downtown Daytona Beach, Florida, by youth pastor Mark Hall, who serves as the band's lead vocalist, . Some members of the band currently work as ministers for Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, Georgia. The band has won a Grammy and a Dove Award. This song is on their Peace On Earth album.
LYRICS:
Sweet little Jesus boy, Born in a manger, Sweet little holy child, we didn't know who you were
Long time ago it seems, You were born, Born in a manger Lord, Sweet little Jesus boy.
Didn't know you'd come to save us all, To take our sins away Our eyes were blind, we did not see, We didn't know who you were.
You have shown us how, and we are trying, Master, You have shown us how, Even as you were dying.
The world treats you mean Lord, Treats me mean too But that's how things are done, down here, We don't know it was you.
Didn't know you'd come to save us all, To take our sins away Our eyes were blind, we did not see, We didn't know who you were.
KINDLED REFLECTIONS D: Two or three people may offer brief thoughts
kindled by the Candle Four readings ...or music ... or this question ...
"Whose absence this season do you honor most?"
Our BLUE CHRISTMAS Liturgy of Healing D
READER 8: We light this FOURTH candle to remember those whom we have loved and lost. We pause to remember clearly, their faces, their voices, their eyes, their hands, their hearts. We embrace and give thanks for the memories that bind them to us in this season of expectation, when all Creation waits for the Light.
ALL: We remember them with love. May God's enternal love surround them ... and us. May we remember Emmanuel: God With Us ... always.
Come to us, Emmanuel: God With Us, both here, in this Kingdom on Earth, and in the Kingdom yet to come, with you in Heaven. Amen.
E) CANDLE FIVE:
E. HOPE: How Can we Trust that Healing will Come?
DECEMBER: How Can God Ease our Holiday Stresses?
A BLUE CHRISTMAS POEM
READER 9: My DECEMBER Can Be BLUE, written by Rev. J. Todd Bruning, on December 17, 2020
POEM:
My December is stressful until I remember, How a spark of hope can coax flame from an ember. My December is backwards until I can see, How a Blue Christmas helps to connect me and thee,
It happens sometime near the longest night, And brings us in touch with those feelings we fight ... Grief and loss, anxiety, fear ... Broken connections with those once held dear,
My December overwhelms unless I recall, The purpose and meaning and truth of it all, That God came to earth and felt lost at times too, A humbling awareness I can now share with you.
In this month that brings comfort and joy to the world, There are darker thoughts too that are often unfurled ... Anger, blame, pain, remorse, regret ... Can accumulate like a ballooning debt.
So December can often bring too, an enigma, We are loathe to admit, in fear of the stigma, That this year we might not make it through, Without a collapse or a meltdown too.
But that Child of God, first took on life, Smaller than an ember or the tip of a knife, Emmanuel, God with us, we cautiously sing, And in moments of need to this truth we can cling.
The Messiah was never the greatest of men, No, no, Christ eschewed greatness, again and again, Emmanuel, God with us, came in humble form, So through brokenness each of us might be transformed.
A Blue Christmas is never really about grief, It’s about enduring faith and dependent belief, That Emmanuel, God with us, came here to the earth, So that grace, hope and healing could arrive with his birth.
So may your December always be ... White, Red and Green ... But may a generous touch of Blue too be seen, For God knows it is vital that each hear this sound, “They’re rejoicing in heaven … For the Lost … Has been FOUND!!"
Yes, December can be BLUE, And indeed, that’s a Blessing, As long as this truth, we continue Confessing, Emmanuel, God with us, has come to the poor, And it’s our need that allows us to open the door.
So find a companion, and with them light a candle, And share with them just one thing or two you can’t handle, Then open your hands and pray again, this be true. That Emmanuel, God with us, keeps on blessing ... the Blue.
Yes. Pray again. And believe this is true.
Our God of Grace. Keeps on blessing ... the Blue.
Amen.
My Brother, Brent, and his family, Kirsten, Leo, Finn, and Nele, live near Berlin (and Wittenberg), Germany. Singing as a family was always, not only a Christmas tradition, but an almost nightly gift. With an ocean and 7 time zones between us, our families have never clebrated Chritmas together, in the same room. Since Covid began in March of 2020 we have met at least monthly on Zoom. And while music together is still a challenge, when I mentioned this service, within 24 hours he had recorded this. And a few hours later, I had added this.
LYRICS:
I'll have a blue Christmas without you … I'll be so blue, blue, blue just thinking about you, Decorations of maroon, on a green Christmas tree, Won't mean a thing, my brother, if you're not here with me …
And when those BLUE snowflakes THEY start falling, That's when those BLUE, blue, blue memories start a-calling, They'll be doin' all right, with their Christmas of white, But I and you will have a blue, blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas
Now don’t you THINK that these BLUES they aren’t very IMPORTANT … When it feels like ALL of our loved ONES have all up and GONE … and went … With all the STRESSes this year, all my hopes have been spent … Until I get to SING, with my little, itty bitty brother Brent …
And yes these COLD Blue Days still happen … But that won’t KEEP these old HANDS from clappin’ … When you’re out of my SIGHT, You can still bring such LIGHT … And you and I can STILL, share a blue, blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas …
With you and you and you and you and you and you ... We’ll share a blue, a very blue, a holy blue, blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas!!
KINDLED REFLECTIONS E: Two or three people may offer brief thoughts
kindled by the Candle Five readings ...or music ... or this question ...
"How do we Trust that Help and Hope will come?"
Our BLUE CHRISTMAS Liturgy of Healing E
READER 10: We light this FIFTH candle to remember hope and healing. The ministry of Jesus in our world was not just offering the wonderful gift of salvation. Jesus also brought healing and hope wherever he travelled. And Jesus sent the Holy Spirit, an Advocate, a Comforter, a Defense Attorney in our time of need.
We remember that, in the midst of despairing moments, Mary, Joseph, the Angels, the Shepherds, and the Wise Men all proclaimed a message of Good News, hope and joy.
ALL: We we remember that even in our most challenging moments, God is always bringing us in touch with messangers of hope. So, tonight, we remember Emmanuel: God With Us. Emmanuel: God With Us, heal us. Emmanuel: God with Us, bring us hope. Amen.
BLESSING & FINAL THOUGHTS
CAT: God cares about us all. Sometimes we forget that. But a Blue Christmas service is designed to remind us how much God cares, even when it's hard for us to remember. And God keeps sending us angels to remind us. So we also end our worship service with this reminder:
CANDICE: God Bless Us Every One!!
POSTLUDE 1: Jesus Is King, by Glenn Burleigh, led by the South Dallas Concert Choir, directed by Alfrelynn J. Roberts.
POSTLUDE 2: Jesus Is King, by Glenn Burleigh, led by Church Directors and Musicians in the Houston, TX area.