Coral Isles Church is opening its doors on Thursday, Dec. 21, at 6 p.m. to all who seek comfort, healing and quiet contemplation with like-minded souls during the holiday season.
The ceremony, called “Blue Christmas” Service, is an antidote for the unique loneliness that can surprisingly arise during the annual parade of bloated meals, extravagant gift-giving and alcohol-fueled, tinsel-strewn parties. Attending yet another celebration can actually cause stress for those whose journey in 2023 may have included grief, illness, family estrangement, addiction and financial struggles.
This stress has been documented by the American Psychological Association. In a 2006 study, the APA discovered that, despite all our good intentions, people in this country feel more pressure during the holidays, not less.
“Secular culture has taken the gifts, joy, music, beauty of Christmas and twisted it so the truth of Christmas is no longer recognizable,” Pamela A. Feeser told Keys Weekly. She has been a pastor for 30 years and will be one of four clergy leading the “Blue Christmas” service.
“Every year there are many people who struggle with Christmas due to loss in their life,” she said. “The great gift God gives us through Christmas directly addresses this deep sadness. This service reminds us of the life-giving hope that seeks to heal the emptiness and pain in our hearts as we join together remembering and holding one another in the light of this divine gift. Traditionally this service is held on Dec. 21, as it is the longest night of the year, thus the most difficult to get through.”
Those who feel that this ceremony would just make them even more depressed may be pleasantly surprised, said Feeser.
“Oddly enough, this service is encouraging,” she said. “People often think it’s a sad service but it’s the opposite. We are each invited to bring the realness of who we are. The process of the service helps each person release what they can and receive what they can. You might be surprised.”
The service will last one hour and provide music, readings of inspirational texts including scripture, singing, prayer and opportunities for attendees to receive healing blessings, light candles and decorate a tree. Refreshments will be served on the front porch following the service. No fee is required for admission.
And of course, attendees can talk about their personal struggles to the clergy present and find a sympathetic ear. Feeser is no stranger to the challenges of life, including losing a loved one to opioid addiction.
“I’ve had many Christmas seasons that have been riddled with the pain of loss in so many ways,” she said. “Each year, I place my heartache and prayers at the Christ child’s feet, knowing that God can and will accomplish what I never could dream. As a result, I’m able to move forward with my life knowing 100% that God’s got this. “
Sometimes, the biggest gift we can give to loved ones is a simple question: “How are you doing?”
“I would love to hear your story,” she said. “Listening is the most important thing I can do. … Come with a friend who isn’t sure. Just be there with them. You don’t even have to say anything.”
Coral Isles Church is located at 90001 Overseas Hwy., oceanside, in Tavernier. For more information, call 305-852-5813 or go to @coralislesucc on Facebook.
