I learned that a friend of mine recently led a service called “A Blue Christmas Service”.  Some of you will immediately think of Elvis Presley’s song.  It was written by Billy Hayes and Jay W. Johnson but made famous in 1957 by Elvis. The idea of a Blue Christmas service is to acknowledge that not everyone’s Christmas brings with it joy and excitment.  For some people this is the time they are reminded of their deepest grief – the death of a loved one, the loss of a relationship, perhaps a serious illness.  Whatever the reason, Christmas is a difficult time.


As a pastor this contrast of emotion and season often came to the surface in some of the people of congregations I’ve led.  I did not have a good tool in those days – wish I had thought of, or known this.


Speaking of Christmas and illness – if you’re a regular visitor to my blog I would appreciate you keeping my Mom and our family in your prayers tomorrow and in the next few days.  Mom is having surgery tomorrow.  They will be removing a cyst in the brain.  The surgeon says “low risk, high success” but it is still dealing with the brain.


Thanks in advance!