Welcome to Blue Christmas

A service offering hope for those experiencing grief and loss

 

Blue Christmas is a service that offers hope to people in our church family and community who are experiencing grief or loss, and for whom this Christmas season may not be full of joy.

If you’re grieving the loss of a loved one, a relationship, unrealized dreams, failing health, or experiencing a difficult transition, we invite you to attend this time of music, prayer, story and support.

 
 

SERVICE TIME

WATERLOO SITE 245 Lexington Road December 3rd | 4 - 5PM

 
 

Blue Christmas - Online

We recognize that for many people who have suffered loss, here at WMB Church and in the broader community, Christmas can be a difficult time to navigate.

Often that loss is the passing of a loved one. Sometimes it is because of a loss of health or mobility, employment or a relationship.

The online Blue Christmas experience outlined below has been designed to help you find space for reflection, comfort and understanding. We suggest that you take 40 minutes – either right now or at another time more convenient for you – and follow through the Blue Christmas program provided here.

 If you are in need of someone to speak or pray with you there is a link below where you can request that and one of our pastors will connect with you.

Welcome

From Pastor Gareth Goossen

 

Opening Prayer


Lord, at the moment
nothing
seems to be able to help the loss I feel.

My heart is broken and my spirit mourns.
All I know is that Your grace is sufficient.
This day,
this hour,
moment by moment
I choose to lean on You,
For when I am at my weakest
Your strength is strongest.

I pour out my grief to You
And praise You
that on one glorious day
when all suffering is extinguished
and love has conquered
we shall walk together again.

Song: Just Before the Silent Night

 

Scripture

Psalm 34:17-18

The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

Revelation 21:4

He will wipe every tear from their eyes,
and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain.
All these things are gone forever.

Psalm 147:3

He heals the brokenhearted
and bandages their wounds.

Testimony of Loss

The videos below share the story of grief and loss. Perhaps they will put into words and images some of the feelings and thoughts you are struggling with.

After watching each video take a moment to reflect on what you saw, heard and felt. Take a note pad and write down some of the thoughts and feelings that come to mind.

  • Describe your pain and how it is similar or different to what the video describes

  • Think  about where you saw hope reflected in the video – think about where you find hope

I Lost the One I Loved

Our Place: A Short Film about Grief and Loss

 

We, the Bereaved Film

Grief and Covid-19: Mourning What We’re Missing

Light a Candle

With the instrumental music playing in the background, if you wish, light a candle and reflect upon what Jesus said in John 8:12:

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

  • As you watch the candle’s flame consider the fact that Jesus is always there to give light to your path, to guide you when your grief leaves you in a dark place.

  • Invite him to give light to the path before you and clarity to where he wants to direct you.

Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4:

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”

  • Think about how God has shown you comfort in your grief – and praise Him.

  • Consider how God is already using you, or might use you in the future, to comfort others who are grieving.

Song: HUmble King

 

Closing Prayer

O God of all seasons and senses,
grant us the sense of your timing
to submit gracefully and rejoice quietly in the turn of the seasons.
In this season of short days and long nights,
of grey and white and cold,
teach us the lessons of endings;
children growing, friends leaving, loved ones dying,
grieving over,
grudges over,
blaming over,
excuses over.

O God, grant us a sense of your timing.
In this season of short days and long nights,
of grey and white and cold,
teach us the lessons of beginnings;
that such waitings and endings may be the starting place,
a planting of seeds which bring to birth what is ready to be born—
something right and just and different,
a new song, a deeper relationship, a fuller love—
in the fullness of your time.

O God, grant us the sense of your timing.

(by Ted Loder)

 

Closing Song: Saddest Season

 

 

Final Thoughts

From Pastor Gareth Goossen

 

Prayer + Additional Resources

Request Prayer

Can we pray for you? Need to speak with a pastor? Get in touch using the link below and one of our pastors will connect with you.

Articles

How to Cope with Grief During the Holidays (Amanda Rowett, Bluevue Christian Counseling)

Grief Is Not a One-time Event (Cheryl Amari, M.A., C.T., Grief Educator & Consultant)

Grief & COVID-19 (adapted from a April 2020 article from Michelle Suzanne Scott Counselling & Support Services)

Personal Grief Rituals (adapted from an article by Marty Tousley, CNS-BC, FT, DCC)


Video Resources

How Grief Feels (Robbie Stamp – TEDx London)

Healing After Grief (GriefShare)

Holiday Survival Guide Videos (GriefShare)


Music Videos

Be Still (The Fray)

Beautiful Things (Gungor)

Bigger Than I Thought (Jourdan Johnson – Passion)

Dark Night of the Soul (Steve Bell)

Fast From, Feast On (PAGE CXVI)

Just Be Held (Casting Crowns)

O Come O Come Emmanuel (Traditional Carol)

Oceans: Where Feet May Fail (Hillsong United)

Praise You In This Storm (Casting Crowns)

Psalm 88 (Danielle Rose)

Psalm 126 (Sojourn Music)

Rolling River God (Mindy Gledhill)

Still (Reuben Morgan – Hillsong)


Scripture