Musical lyricists, novelists and dramatists frequently employ recognizable color symbols.

Most colors have a positive and a negative connotation. For example, green may represent freshness and growth or envy and greed.

For the Christian Church, the color of the season leading to Christmas is blue; blue is the color of hope. However, for those struggling with loss, blue is the color of grief, sadness and depression. The seasonal emphasis, religious and secular, on joy, often makes those dealing with a traumatic ending – a death, divorce, loss of job, etc. – feel isolated and out of step.

In recognition of the pain that sometimes accompanies the holidays, St. John’s Lutheran Church in Emmaus offers an annual Blue Christmas Service, a church service devoted to providing solace.

St. John’s member, professional bereavement counselor and one of the program’s initiators Sylvia Havlish is committed to providing this emotional outlet for those choosing to attend.

In a previously published article, Havlish explained, “…it’s a privilege to do what I do. These people [those experiencing loss] are inspiring…when they see the light of hope, they are so grateful.”

The blue service provides folks struggling to endure the holidays with the opportunity to acknowledge their unhappiness and to join with others experiencing similar feelings.

St. John’s pastor, the Rev. Jeffrey S. Carstens, led attendees through a service focused on consolation and healing Dec. 16, 2018. Those wishing to do so received the laying on of hands and prayed for healing with a prayer partner. Many took the opportunity to light candles in memory of departed loved ones or in recognition of difficult situations. All received a butterfly ornament and Bible verse as mementos of the day.

St. John’s yearly Blue Christmas Service is open to everyone. The offer of hope that today’s blue sadness may be transformed into tomorrow’s blue sky is freely given.