Thursday, December 23, 2010

Blue Christmas

I'd like to share some of Pastor's message from our service last night & a few of my own.

Why Blue Christmas? Because the joy of the season is absent. And, because the heart of the season is Christ - our encouragement in and out of season. Because I frequently have difficulty finding the words to express myself, these sentences really spoke to me. There is so much emotion unseen in our lives that when someone can put words to it provides so much clarity, which is often tied to treating depression which I can relate to as key to my healing. It has become my mission to educate my little corner of the world and those suffering with depression & their loved ones as they look to you for help.

First and foremost, being blue is being human. Don't let anyone tell you to get over it, or just get out of bed and go to work. You will have to lovingly excuse that person for their ignorance. Psalm 88 - for my soul is full of trouble and my life draws near the grave. I am as one without strength. I am set apart with the dead.

Feeling utterly alone and abandoned by all or "the darkness is my closest friend" is what depression does to us. That is your clue to find someone who can council you through it. You may not want to see another day, but I promise you that it will get better.

How many of us are struggling financially and maybe we are even homeless? Christ Jesus, who is fully human and fully divine, was born poor and homeless. He knows how we feel! But wait, there's more. When he died he was criminal, crucified and rejected!!

I'd like to leave this jewel with you. Christ Jesus is our Savior. That is just a little too vague for me, but when it is explained that He doesn't take away my loss, sorrow or suffering but he joins me in it! That is just powerful.

Pastor thank you for the words.