Holidays are often
occasions of joyful reunion, excitement, and abundance, but not always. Images of
desperate human need, locally and around the world, mingle with cheerful
Christmas carols and festive lights and parties. Empty chairs recall loved ones who are no
longer here. Mary’s preparations for Jesus’ birth mocks
those struggling with infertility or lost pregnancies. What was originally
intended as a time to worship God and find hope in the promises of Christ has
become a blur of occasions for “happiness on demand,” which sometimes
feels impossible.
Church of the Good Shepherd on Sunday, December
15, 7:00 pm will hold “Blue Christmas,” a
special worship service for those who are lonely, in mourning, feeling
alienated from family celebrations, hopeless, or just sad to find comfort and
strength. All
are welcome—the service is in the Episcopal/Anglican tradition, with candles,
silence, prayers, tissues, and tea afterwards. For more information, contact The Church of
the Good Shepherd, 1576 Palisade Avenue, Fort Lee, NJ 07024 201-461-7260, churchofthegs@verizon.net, goodshepherdfortlee.org.
