One of the traditions of our sister congregation, Trafalgar Presbyterian Church, has been to host a special Blue Christmas service of worship.  Over the past few years, and again this year we have been invited to participate.  Below is Rev. Carolyn McAvoy’s invitation and introduction to the service of worship.  My hope is that through your participation you find peace and hope!

Blessings

Patrick

Hello – a lovely tradition of Trafalgar church has been to share in a ‘blue’ Christmas – often held on the longest night of the year (the winter Solstice on Dec 21).   You may wish to watch this service at a different time though – perhaps especially if there is a time you are going to be alone when you usually would have been celebrating Christmas with others – whatever you wish.

Especially this year, we felt this service would be important, as the world has experienced so much death and grief in 2020 – perhaps you yourself have lost loved ones this year.  And, as Christmas celebrations are so different, and as many of us won’t be able to share with loved ones in our usual way, we are finding the time of Christmas tender – and perhaps not as merry or bright.

This service helps us to be still for awhile – to talk of our grief, to remember the promise of heaven and Emmanuel-God with us.

I hope you might be touched by this service, as we remember our dear ones, and as several people share their faith in various ways.  Sincere thanks to them (especially Mark Sturrock, Laurie Thomson and Dave Murdoch).   The service is long – (just over an hour) so be sure to have the time you need, and perhaps you might dim the lights, or have candlelight to nurture your worship time.  We couldn’t really do that in the sanctuary to film – but you can do it at home!

Also, you may wish to choose a blue ornament – or any special ornament and have it ready that you might place it on your tree or table as a special act of worship during the service. 

Finally – in case you didn’t know about this – there is a conjunction of Jupiter/Saturn in its height on this night (how cool is that) so you will perhaps want to go out before worship (Monday Dec 21^st) to look to the southwest horizon about 45 minutes after the sunsets to see this shining ‘star’ – so meaningful to us this 2020 year!  Apparently this conjunction hasn’t been this bright for 800 years….since the year 1226!  (you can google this of course!)

Here’s the link & worship page is attached.
Worship Link: 

God Bless you as you share in this tender service – Carolyn