A BLUE CHRISTMAS AND LONGEST NIGHT SERVICE

A Liturgy For Meditation Use As Much Or As Little As You Choose Theme And ye, beneath life's crushing load, Whose forms are bending low, Who toil along the climbing way With painful steps and slow, Look now! for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing. O rest beside the weary road, And hear the angels sing! —It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, verse 5 Opening Hymn Of The Father's Love Begotten [For Music Click Here] Of the Father's love begotten ere the worlds began to be, he is Alpha and Omega, he the source, the ending he, of the things that are, that have been, and that future years shall see evermore and evermore. Oh, that birth forever blessed when the virgin, full of grace, by the Holy Ghost conceiving, bore the Savior of our race, and the babe, the world's Redeemer, first revealed his sacred face evermore and evermore. This is he whom seers and sages sang of old with one accord, whom the voices of the prophets promised in their faithful word. Now he shines, the long-expected; let creation praise its Lord evermore and evermore. Let the heights of heav'n adore him, angel hosts his praises sing, pow'rs, dominions bow before him and extol our God and King. Let no tongue on earth be silent, ev'ry voice in concert ring evermore and evermore. Christ, to thee, with God the Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to thee hymn and chant and high thanksgiving and unending praises be, honor, glory, and dominion and eternal victory evermore and evermore. Opening Words This has been a difficult season for many of us. Illness . . . unemployment . . . separation from loved ones . . . broken relationships . . . unmet hopes and expectations . . . events that have divided our homes, families, communities and country . . . loneliness and isolation . . . the death of a friend or family member . . . the loss of a pregnancy . . . war in our world . . . natural disasters . . . fear for our future. Any of these by themselves can be overwhelming, and so we put our heads down and carry on, numbing ourselves to our own most intimate feelings. We busy ourselves with this task or that. Or we isolate and keep our grief, fear, frustration, disappointment and despair to ourselves. When we share our struggles with others, we feel like a burden, an ingrate, or a curmudgen. Where do we find room for our humanity? For our vulnerability? For the complexity of our experience? All too often, we think of the Christmas story as one of great joy and excitement, forgetting that it is the story of a young girl, unwed and pregnant. It is the story of a carpenter whose betrothed gets pregnant, and not with his child. It is the story of a baby born in a barn surrounded by the smell of animals and the bodily fluids of birth – no doctors, nurses, midwives or even beloved family matriarch to oversee the birth, to cut the umbilical cord, to wrap the new-born up or to offer rest to the weary mother or hapless father. It is the story of refugees, fleeing from a murderous monarch slaughtering baby boys. The likes of this story today are not to be found in the comforts of a starry sanctuary, or in the sparkle of a busy mall, or even in the warmth of a private hospital birthing room. No, they are instead to be found in in places where people are oppressed . . . where people have had they honor and dignity ignored and abused . . . where the voices of people who have a word to share have been silenced for the sake of the status quo . . . where people are robbed of their humanity because they do not fit within our comforting and cozy compartments that keep a flase sense of peace and unity by celebrating a faux narrative that is not only untrue but written in the blood of those who gave their lives for the sake of truth . . . of equality . . . equity . . . peace . . . and justice. And, in the reality of our own pain. There is room in our Christmas story for fear, disappointment, sorrow and despair. During Advent, we light the candles of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. These candles remind us of God’s gifts to us – gifts that we celebrate not because we already have them, but because we and our world so desperately need them. We need Hope to meet our despair. We need Peace to meet our poor health, our anger, and our fear. We need Love to meet our disappointment, frustration and loneliness. We need Joy to meet our grief and sorrow. And we need a place where we can simply be: Be with our own pain and suffering and know that we are not alone, that God is with us. “Tonight, we remember that God came into the world amidst violence, oppression, and despair and brought forth light from that darkness. Tonight, we remember that God is with each one of us in our challenges and suffering.” We remember that God has brought life to the world, and that life is the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness will not overcome it. Amen. —Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, https://worshipwords.co.uk/blue-christmas-longest-night-reflection-thandiwe-dale-ferguson-usa/ So, we gather this night to remember and affirm that God abounds in mercy and compassion. Bless God, O my soul, and do not forget all God's benefits— who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103. 3-5 God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Psalm 103:8 God has gained renown by the wonderful deeds done; God is gracious and merciful. Psalm 111:4 Gracious is God, and righteous; our God is merciful. Psalm 116:5 God's mercy is for those who revere the Holy One from generation to generation. Luke 1:50 Life in God depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who shows mercy. Romans 9:1 Opening Prayer God of abundant mercy, you have given us grace to pray with one heart and one voice, even though our hearts are broken and our voices tremble with grief and sorrow. Comfort, comfort, O God, your Holy people. Comfort those of us who sit in darkness, mourning 'neath our sorrow's load. Speak to us of the peace that awaits us, of the balm of healing for our weary and wounded souls. We ask all this, trusting in the promise you have made to hear the prayers of two or three who have gathered in the Name of your Holy Child, Jesus. First Reading Ecclesiastes 3 Everything has a season, and a time for every matter under the heavens: A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to rip down and a time to build. A time to weep and a time to laugh. A time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to fling stones and a time to gather stones in. A time to embrace and a time to pull back from embracing. A time to seek and a time to lose. A time to keep and a time to fling away. A time to tear and a time to sew. A time to keep silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace. What gain is there for him who does in what he toils? I have seen the business that God has given to the daughters and sons of a person with which to busy themselves. Everything He has done aptly in its time. Eternity, too, God has put in their heart, without our grasping at all what it is God has done from beginning to end. —Alter, Robert. The Wisdom Books: Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes: A Translation with Commentary. Second Reading Psalm 121 I lift up my eyes to the mountains: from where will my help come? My help is from God, maker of heaven and earth. God does not let your foot stumble. Your guard does not slumber. Look, God does not slumber nor does God sleep, Israel’s guard. God is your guard, God is your shade at your right hand. By day the sun does not strike you, nor the moon by night. God guards you from all harm, God guards your life. God guards your going and your coming, now and forevermore. —Alter, Robert. The Book of Psalms: A Translation with Commentary. Third Reading Isaiah 40 “Console my people, give them comfort,” says your God. “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem’s heart, and tell it that its time of service is ended, that its iniquity is atoned for, that it has received from YHWH’s hand double punishment for all its sins.” YHWH, O Sovereign One, you come with power, and rule with a strong arm! You bring your reward with you, and your reparation comes before you. Like a Shepherd you feed your flock, gathering the lambs and holding them close, and leading mother ewes with gentleness. Do you not know? Have you not heard? YHWH is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. This God does not faint or grow weary; with a depth of understanding that is unsearchable. God give strength to the weary, and empowers the powerless. Young women may grow tired and weary, young men may stumble and fall, but those who wait† for YHWH find a renewed power: they soar on eagles’ wings, they run and don’t get weary, they walk and never tire. —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Fourth Reading Psalm 139 O God, you’ve searched me, and you know me. You know if I am standing or sitting, you read my thoughts from far away. whether I walk or lie down, you are watching; you are intimate with all of my ways. A word is not even on my tongue, O God, before you know what it is: you hem me in, before and behind, shielding me with your hand. such knowledge is too wonderful for me, a height my mind cannot reach! where could I run from your spirit? where could I flee from your presence? if I go up to the heavens, you’re there; if I make my bed in Death, you’re already there. I could fly away with wings made of dawn, or make my home on the far side of the sea, but even there your hand will guide me, your mighty hand holding me fast. if I say, “The darkness will hide me, and night will be my only light,” even darkness won’t be dark to you; the night will shine like the day— darkness and light are the same to you. —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. FIFTH READING John 1 (selected verses) In the beginning there was the Word; the Word was in God’s presence, and the Word was God. The Word was present to God from the beginning. Through the Word all things came into being, and apart from the Word nothing came into being that has come into being. In the Word was life, and that life was humanity’s light—a Light that shines in the darkness, a Light that the darkness has never overtaken. And the Word became flesh and stayed for a little while among us; we saw the Word’s glory— the favor and position a parent gives an only child— filled with grace, filled with truth. —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. HYMN In The Bleak Mid-Winter [Click Here For Music] In the bleak midwinter Frosty wind made moan Earth stood hard as iron Water like a stone. Snow had fallen Snow on snow on snow In the bleak midwinter Long, long ago. Angels and Arc Angels May have traveled there Cherubim and Seraphim Thronged the air But only his Mother In her maiden bliss Worshiped the beloved With a kiss. What can I give him? Poor as I am If I were a shepherd I would give a lamb If I were a wise man I would do my part But what I can I give him Give him my heart Give him my heart. A Liturgy Of Remembrance Lighting of Four Advent Candles First Candle: The first candle we light to remember those persons whom we have loved and lost. We pause to remember their name, their voice, their face, the memory that binds them to us in this season. We hold them before God, giving thanks for their lives in ours. Silence O God, each of us takes our loved one by the hand and leads them to you, the God of love. Here we present them to you. Accept our love and thanksgiving as we entrust them to your loving care. We want our loved ones to be free at home with you. We ask that you save a place for us beside them. We ask that you fill us with motivation and energy in the days ahead when we feel like giving up; remind us often of our true homeland when we are caught up in the desolation of the journey. Help us to find joy in the people, events and the beauty of nature which surrounds us. Thank you for the gift each of these people has been in our lives. We want to believe that we will celebrate the treasure of love with them again, when we are all in your presence forever. May this truth sustain us in the days to come. Take our sad and aching hearts and comfort us. Comfort us, for we only feel hollowness and emptiness. God of sorrowing, draw near! Amen. Second Candle: The second candle we light is to redeem the pain of loss; the loss of relationships, the loss of jobs with the security they bring, the loss of health in ourselves or in family members, the loss of joy and peace in our lives from the stresses which surround us, the loss and loneliness we experience when our loved ones do not share our faith. As we gather up the pain of the past we offer it to you, 0 God, asking that into our open hands you will place the gift of peace. Silence God of mystery, we turn our hearts to you. We come before you in need of peace, grateful for the mystery of life and ever keenly aware of your promises of guidance and protection. We want to place our trust in you, but our hearts grow fearful and anxious. We forget so easily that you will be with us in all that we experience. Teach us to be patient with the transformation of our lives and to be open to the changes which we are now going through. Amen. Third Candle: The third candle we light for those who experience a loss of direction in their lives. It might be a sense that God is further away than what we once knew. It might be that we have reclaimed things from the past that in their use are harmful to us and others. It might be, what was thought to be, a well planned goal that is no longer our aim. It might be that as we age life's journey seems to take turns you never expected or were ready for.>br /> Silence O God who led your people through the wilderness to a new land. Hear our prayer. We want so much to have a sense of direction, to know where we are and where we ought to be headed. But the darkness and the questions stay. You ask us to be full of faith, to believe deep within that you are our signpost, that you are our wisdom and our guide, and to trust in your presence. Your words to us are clear: “Do not fear, I go before you.” God of our depths, we cry out to you to be our guide. Help us to have a strong sense of inner direction and grant that we may have the reassurance of knowing that we are on the right path. Take our lives and use them according to your will. Take all that is lost in us and bring it home with you. Amen. Fourth Candle: The fourth candle we light as a sign of hope, the hope that the Christmas story offers to us. We remember that God, who shares our life, promises us a place and time of no more pain and suffering. Silence O God whose spirit is known by those whose hearts are thankful, and who makes cheerfulness a companion of strength, lift up our hearts, we pray, to a joyous confidence in your care. Guide us when we cannot see the way. Teach us to know that a shadow is only a shadow, because the light of eternal goodness shines behind the object of our fears. Where there is love in life, teach us to find it; help us to trust it and enable us to grow in the power of love. So may our lives bring comfort and encouragement to others. We ask it, in the name of Jesus Christ whose life is our light. Amen. —Adapted from, the United Methodist Church Resources (https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/blue-christmas-a-service-of-reflection-for-the-longest-night) Hymn Star Child [For Music Click Here] —By Shirehy Erena Murray Star-Child, earth-Child, go-between of God, love Child, Christ Child, heaven's lightning rod, Refrain: This year, this year, let the day arrive when Christmas comes for everyone, everyone alive! Street child, beat child, no place left to go, hurt child, used child no one wants to know, everyone alive! Refrain: This year, this year, let the day arrive when Christmas comes for everyone, everyone alive! Grown child, old child, mem'ry full of years, sad child, lost child, story told in tears, Refrain: This year, this year, let the day arrive when Christmas comes for everyone, everyone alive! Spared child, spoiled child, having, wanting more, wise child, faith child, knowing joy in store, Refrain: This year, this year, let the day arrive when Christmas comes for everyone, everyone alive! Hope-for-peace Child, God's stupendous sign, down-to-earth Child, Star of stars that shine, Refrain: This year, this year, let the day arrive when Christmas comes for everyone, everyone alive! —Words © 1994 Hope Publishing Company, 380 S Main Pl, Carol Stream, IL 60188 In the spirit of this season, let us now ask our God for what we need for ourselves as we participate in the Christmas season as people coping with loss, pain, suffering, loneliness, grief, sadness. In response to the words, “Loving God, hear our prayer,” you are invited to respond with “And in your merciful love, answer.” God, we come to you as Christmas dawns with pain growing inside us. As the nights have been growing longer, so has the darkness wrapped itself around our hearts. In this season of our longest nights, we offer to you the pain in our hearts, the traumas that some of us cannot put into words. Silence Loving God, hear our prayer, And in your merciful love, answer. Compassionate God, there are those among us who are grieving over what might have been. A death or loss has changed our experience of Christmas. Once it was a special day for us too, but someone has died or moved away. Or we have lost a job, or a cause. We find ourselves adrift, alone, lost. O God, help us find our way. Silence Loving God, hear our prayer, People: And in your merciful love, answer. The Christmas season reminds us of all that used to be and cannot be anymore. The memories of what was, the fears of what may be, overwhelm us. All around us we hear the sounds of celebration, but all we experience is a sense of feeling blue. Please be near us this night. Silence Loving God, hear our prayer, People: And in your merciful love, answer. Amen. Hymn O Holy Night [For Music Click Here] O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining It is the night of the dear Savior's birth! Long lay the world in sin and error pining Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn! Chorus Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices! O night divine! O night when Christ was born. O night, O holy night, O night divine. Led by the light of faith serenely beaming With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming Here come the wise men from Orient land The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger In all our trials born to be our friend. Chorus Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices! O night divine! O night when Christ was born. O night, O holy night, O night divine. Truly He taught us to love one another His law is love and His gospel is peace Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother And in His name all oppression shall cease Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, Let all within us praise His holy name. Chorus Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices! O night divine! O night when Christ was born. O night, O holy night, O night divine Dismissal With Blessing Go in peace and know that God's mercy enfolds you, and that there is n0thing that can separate us from God's love. Closing Hymn It Came Upon the Midnight Clear [For Music Click Here] It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old, from angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold: "Peace on the earth, good will to all, from heaven's all-gracious King." The world in solemn stillness lay, to hear the angels sing. Still through the cloven skies they come with peaceful wings unfurled, and still their heavenly music floats o'er all the weary world; above its sad and lowly plains, they bend on hovering wing, and ever o'er its Babel sounds the blessed angels sing. And ye, beneath life's crushing load, whose forms are bending low, who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow, look now! for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing. O rest beside the weary road, and hear the angels sing! For lo! the days are hastening on, by prophet seen of old, when with the ever-circling years shall come the time foretold when peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendors fling, and the whole world send back the song which now the angels sing.