'Longest Night/Blue Christmas' service set at Mt. Moriah Lutheran Church, Anna

An addition to the holiday worship schedule at Mt. Moriah Lutheran Church in Anna is a service called “Longest Night/Blue Christmas." 

"We recognize that not everyone feels like celebrating during this time, and want to offer a service of prayer and song for people whose hearts hurt during the Advent/Christmas season," said the Rev. Kathy Montira, the pastor at Mt. Moriah.

The meditative service is planned at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22.

Montira said the service will offer "a time and place of solace with readings, prayers, soft music, candles and Holy Communion.  This service is open to the community and all are welcome."

In the Northern Hemisphere, Dec. 21 is the longest night, the winter solstice, which means literally "standing still." 

The solstice marks the shortest day of the year, the official start of winter, when the sun is the farthest distance from the earth. 

"In the gathering darkness of December, we anticipate the coming again of the Light of the world," Montira said. 

"It may only be the hope that marks Advent's waiting that keeps us looking toward the coming of Christ. It may also be that the blue of the Advent season (which symbolizes hope) is the very remedy we need for what makes us feel 'blue' at Christmas."

For more information, contact Pastor Montira at Mt. Moriah Lutheran Church, phone 833-5234.