It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Except when its…not.  Maybe your holidays aren’t so happy. The concept of a “blue Christmas” gives space to recognize the hardship amidst the hope of the season. That way the darkness can be offered to the light, and the light can relieve the pain. 

Sit with Chaplain Mike and Lisa the Social Worker as we explore dealing with hardships in the holiday season, from our own stories in the midst of the Christmas story and other narratives of the holiday season. And we give you space to meditate or pray through the losses of this past year. It’s okay to acknowledge the pain – it can lead to fuller joy.

Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

Want to provide feedback or ask a question for a future episode? Contact us at [email protected] !

More info from the show:

More on the blue Christmas idea from a Christian leader perspective: 

https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/podcast/detail/Dont-Forget-the-Blue-in-Christmas/ 

Setting up a blue Christmas service for you or your friends: 

https://lovedoesthat.org/2021/11/30/offering-a-blue-christmas-service-to-honor-the-loss-and-cling-to-the-hope/ 

Each of the above offers different uses of the Advent wreath; we focus on the first one for our mediation.

 More on Advent and the Advent Wreath:

https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources/common-worship/churchs-year/times-and-seasons/advent#mmm18 

 Thought you were getting Elvis Presley? Well… here ya go…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6WnnZRSKYs