With the arrival of December, the Christmas season begins. Much of what we see and hear is focused on brightly colored lights, festive activities, songs of cheer, and feelings of joyful excitement and nostalgia. But not for everyone. Some of us find ourselves not only in the dark days of December but in dark emotional places as well.
Even for Christians who are deeply grateful for the gift of the Christ child and sincerely share in the celebration of God’s precious gift of His Son to the world, there are difficulties that can darken their days. Painful losses, past regrets, prevailing disappointments, or current struggles can deepen their mood, leading to depression, listlessness, and a sense of loneliness. Personal loss is often at the core of this pain and grief.
It is in this emotionally dark space that Vineyard Columbus offers a special quiet and contemplative worship service. Blue Christmas services are traditionally held around the longest night of the year, acknowledging the darkness that many may experience during the season of Advent.
Advent is a time when we wait for something to arrive. It’s a time when we acknowledge the darkness of a world not yet fully restored. A time when we remember a world that waited in deep darkness for the Light of the World to come. It is also a time when we look forward, in our own darkness, to His light coming again.
And it is a time when we can in the midst of an ongoing festive holiday season, acknowledge our own season of darkness and sorrow in the safe, quiet presence of our Good Shepherd and friend, Jesus. He understands.
People who have attended this worship service in the past have come because they were grieving the loss of a loved one, a job, a marriage, financial provision, a place of belonging in a community, a home, ora career. Others came struggling with the growing reality that, with age, more limitations present themselves.
Still others attended because of their struggle with hope deferred, a dream that never came to be, a marriage that never happened, a pregnancy that never occurred or survived, a chance to use their skills and experience in meaningful work, or the longing for a healthy family life.
If you are waiting or know someone who is waiting and feels alone in the darkness - bravely struggling to get through this holiday season - Vineyard Columbus offers this Blue Christmas service.
This quiet, reverent, and contemplative service will provide space to acknowledge this personal season of darkness before the Lord and meet Him in it, while also offering space to express your longing for God’s light in your life.
This sacred service is liturgical and experiential in nature, and includes scripture, music, meditation, and the lighting of remembrance candles as we wait in hope and certainty for God’s light.
