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Blue Christmas Service Aims To Offer Support

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By MICHELLE BEARDEN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 5, 2008

Elvis crooned about it.

You'll be doing all right, with your Christmas of white, but I'll have a blue, blue Christmas."

'Tis sad but true: For those dealing with job loss, depression, grief, illness or financial strain, the holidays can be anything but happy. In stressful times, there's just no merry in Christmas.

On Sunday, a Temple Terrace Lutheran church is offering comfort with its Blue Christmas service.

"This can be a very difficult time of year if you have issues in your life," says the Rev. Wally Meyer, senior pastor at Christ Our Redeemer, 304 Druid Hills Road. "All the happiness and celebrating can make you feel even worse. We recognize that, and we're here to comfort."

Meyer and fellow pastor Richard Hafer will officiate at the 4:30 p.m. service. They'll focus on the hope and goodness that God gives in the worst of circumstances.

Afterward, about a dozen church volunteers - many who have received special training - will be on hand to offer prayers or counseling. Light food and dessert also will be offered.

This is the second year Christ Our Redeemer has sponsored the Blue Christmas service, which is becoming more popular in churches across the country. The tone is more somber, in contrast to typical Advent services that usually include joyful carols.

Meyer said the economic downturn has hit members of his congregation, with people losing their jobs, facing foreclosure on their homes or pulling their children out of the church's private school.

"We're just a small slice of the bigger picture, which is gloomy for many people out there right now," he said. "We're told in Isaiah 40:1 that we're supposed to 'comfort, comfort ye my people,' and there is no better time for us to do that for each other."

While tithing and offerings have dropped at his church, Meyer said attendance has increased a little. That tells him people are not giving up and are still finding hope in faith.

"No matter what, the good news of Christ hasn't changed," he said. "We need to keep focused on that when the picture is bleak. Remember how difficult times were 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem, yet they managed to find some joy."

Reporter Michelle Bearden can be reached at (813) 259-7613.

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