Blue Christmas: When Red and Green Make Blue
The first time I heard the phrase “Blue Christmas,” it was crooned by Elvis. Several years ago, my local paper ran an article by a religion writer who noted that several churches in our area were holding special “Blue Christmas” services for people who are “sad, angry, depressed, lonely, melancholy or uncertain.”
Churches around the nation have been doing the same for more than a decade, traditionally scheduling these services on the day with the least amount of light. This year, the winter solstice falls on Tuesday, December 21. The services are often somber and ecumenical, using candles to acknowledge that many are experiencing pain, loneliness, or grief. The number of churches offering these services has been growing.
Unfortunately, this year, we all probably know at least one person who’ll be experiencing a Blue Christmas. The COVID pandemic turndown has resulted in so many losses: jobs, homes, and a sense of financial security and personal safety.
Millions have experienced personal health crises, and illness and deaths among people close to them. The pandemic has curtailed opportunities to spend in-person time with family, friends, and co-workers. Just when we were on the cusp of feeling comfortable with vaccinations and boosters, we were faced with the threat of Omicron.
If you know someone who is likely to feel blue over the holidays, be sensitive and don’t overdo the merriment and good cheer.
Figure out which friends, relatives, or neighbors you can help and what you can do. Sometimes even a “Hi, I’m thinking of you” phone call helps. Reminding them they aren’t alone may be all they need to get over this holiday hump.
If you are the one feeling down, here are some tips for Getting Over The Holidays With No Friends Or Family.
Listen to Elvis’ rendition of Blue Christmas on YouTube
*This post was previously published but has been revised and updated.
Category: Coping with loneliness
i want to thank you for your insight. you gave me advice about getting out of an abusive friendship w/ someone i truly felt like i cared about at one point and other times i would see her as a teenage monster and more of an enemy than a best friend. it seemed like a long and very difficult process to get out of but i took your advice about telling my mom about the possible STD situation. i broke down and told my mom everything including how i felt afraid of this girl. my mom was comforting to me and came with me to the doctor and the results came back negative and i felt alot better but i was still dealing with getting away from this girl. the main breaking point was when she told me i dont deserve anything if i walked out on her and thats when i realized i could never be friends with her so i left and went away to hide out for the night cuz i had a feeling shed come to my house to “check up on me”. we were very distant for a few days after and she texted me to say she missed me and i told her i missed her too. but for the way she used to be to me and i let her know how she made me feel about alot of things which was very brave for me b/c i wouldnt have done that before. since shed always get mad at me when i had opinions against her. surprisingly she didnt get mad but she disagreed with almost everything i said and tried to make it seem like i needed her and said she wanted to keep our friendship but i told her it wont get better and i need to be on my own. it was upsetting to let her kno that i couldnt be with her anymore even through all she put me through but im proud of myself for making my decission even though she told me i was making a mistake.