Christmas can be a difficult time for those who have lost a loved one, or who are lonely, or struggling with any kind of pain or loss. As we look around, everything tells us that it’s not right to be sad at this time of year. But the truth is – some of us are. And much as we may want to join in the festivities, our heart is really not in it – even if we recognise the significance and underpinning joy of the season. It’s almost as though the darkness of the winter evenings invades our very soul.
Reflective services can be helpful for those who find Christmas painful, who are still suffering the pain of bereavement or other hurts. Services like this provide an opportunity for people to hear not about the baby in the manger, who can be dismissed as irrelevant, but about the God of love who comes to us in the midst of the mess and pain we know in our own everyday lives and the lives of those around us. Please refer to our Remembering Christmas resources on this website for ideas.
By simply acknowledging that Christmas can be a difficult time, bereaved people can be reminded that their church cares.
Just by choosing a time during the week before Christmas to have the church open specifically for people to come in and remember a loved one by lighting a candle, or arranging to have the church open over a period of time for this purpose will be appreciated. For some people this will be more accessible than attending a particular event, but you might also find by giving them this space, they may feel encouraged to come again and join in with the wider community over the Christmas period.
Please don’t forget if your Church provides regular bereavement support (an example might be a drop-in café once a month), you can list your service on our national AtaLoss.org signposting website.