Blue”

In the church, blue—a deep, rich, royal blue—is the color of the Advent season, which began on December 2nd and lasts until Christmas.  Blue is the color of hope.  Hope carries with it anticipation, waiting, and longing.  These are the emotions and feelings that typify this season as we await the celebration of Jesus’ birth at Christmas.

The first week of Advent is focused on the word “hope” while all of Advent focuses on the color blue.  Blue is said to be a hopeful color.  As my name is Hope, this is MY time of year!   My second favorite season of the church year is Advent and my second favorite color is blue—royal blue—topped just barely by purple.

The word “blue” is also used in churches this time of year, but with a different connotation:  some churches hold  a “Blue Christmas” service to help people who are sad, depressed, or hopeless—those feeling “blue”.  How interesting that this same word holds opposite emotions—feeling hopeful and feeling hopeless!

May we be aware during these days leading up to Christmas, that there are people around us who carry each of these feelings, and possibly both.  Maybe we ourselves do.  Let us be gentle with people in both regards.  Let us be gentle with ourselves, too.

If you want, or need, to experience a little “hope” this season, I invite you to attend Messiah’s Wednesday evening dinners and worship services, starting this week, December 5th, with dinner at 5:30pm and Holden Evening Prayer worship at 6:30pm.  Do come enjoy Breakfast In Bethlehem with Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus on Saturday, December 8th, at 9:00am.  Nothing engenders “hope” like children.  Hear them sing and tell the Christmas story December 16th at 10:30am.  You are also welcome to enjoy a delicious meal at Messiah’s annual Christmas dinner at 3:00pm on December 16th.  At Messiah, you are accepted as you are, where you are, and who you are!

May the “BLUE” color of Advent offer you “HOPE”, whether you are feeling blue or bright!