“Blue Christmas” is more than just an Elvis
Presley tune. It’s the way some experience what others call the most wonderful
time of the year. Depression, the death of a loved one or other hardships can
make treasured Christmas memories painful and leave old traditions out of
reach.
Sadness doesn’t always have a place
among bearers of yuletide cheer. So for those who mourn, Michele Stanco started
the ecumenical Blue Christmas prayer service at Sacred Heart Church in Manassas.
“We all have sadness in our hearts, some more than others, and it is good to
have this quiet, safe place to reflect on God's love,” said Stanco, who serves on
the parish health ministry team.
This is the third year for the
comforting candlelit service led by Deacon Timothy H. Slayter and open to all
Christians in the area. The liturgy begins
with the singing of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” and words from the book of Isaiah:
“Even youth will faint and be weary and the young will fall exhausted; but
those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up
with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and
not faint.”
Near the altar, after the Gospel, three
candles are lit: one in remembrance of the dead, the other two in
acknowledgment of loss, with a prayer for continual guidance from God during
hard times. A fourth candle is lit as a sign of hope, a literal light in the
darkness of the dimmed church. Throughout the lighting, they sing “My Soul in
Stillness Waits,” a melancholy Advent hymn. Finally, each participant lights
their own candle.
“At the end, I’m at the front and it’s
really moving to see the candles, even when there’s only a few people,” said
Stanco.
Each year, the service reminds Deacon
Slayter of those who suffer in silence. “I remember that sometimes there are
people who don't have a voice, and I think God looks favorably on those people.
God loves them immensely in their suffering,” he said. “In the holiday season, loss
is more prominent. My wife thinks about her mom who died young, and she misses
her. Some people turn inward but this service lets us turn (sadness) over to
prayer. It doesn't try to fix people, but it can have an element of healing.”
“If you’re sad about something, there’s
a tendency to keep it to yourself,” said Stanco. “This is a chance to look
around and say, ‘I'm not the only one who’s sad here. I can still find joy, I
can still have a good time. It's OK for me to feel sad about something but I
can still enjoy this wonderful time of the year in the church.’ ”
Find out more
The Blue Christmas prayer service will be held Dec. 9 at 3
p.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 12975 Purcell Rd., Manassas. For more information,
contact Michele Stanco at 703/216-5668 or michele.stanco@yahoo.com.