When the Holidays Hurt: Finding Light in a Blue Christmas
For many, December glows with warm lights, family gatherings, and joyful traditions. But for some of us, this season feels heavy. The lights seem too bright. The music feels too loud. The world seems to expect celebration when your heart is carrying grief, stress, or the quiet ache of loneliness.
If you’re grieving a loved one, navigating a major life change, or simply feeling worn down by life, the holidays can intensify the very emotions you’re working hard to hold together. You may find yourself asking:
How am I supposed to celebrate when everything feels wrong?
Why do I feel out of sync with everyone else?
Where can I find space to just be honest about how I’m doing?
At St. Peter’s, we want you to know this: You are not alone.
The Holidays Don’t Have to Be Bright to Be Holy
There is a quiet truth woven through the Christian story—God meets us not only in joy, but in sorrow. The Christ child was born into a world of uncertainty, struggle, and longing. The incarnation doesn’t ask us to pretend everything is fine. Instead, it tells us that God steps into the very real, complicated places of our lives.
During the holidays, when the culture around us pushes relentless cheer, it can feel like there’s no room for the kind of honest faith that includes grief, questions, and lament. But the church has long held sacred space for those realities.
A Gentle, Hopeful Space: Blue Christmas at St. Peter’s
Every year, St. Peter’s hosts a Blue Christmas service—a quiet, contemplative gathering designed especially for those who find the season challenging.
This year, we invite you to join us:
Monday, December 15, 2025
7:00 PM | St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Del Mar
Blue Christmas is a service of gentle music, candlelight, prayer, and reflection. No pressure to be cheerful. No expectation to “move on.” Just a place to breathe, to remember, and to encounter God’s peace in the midst of pain.
People come for many reasons:
Grief after the loss of a loved one
Loneliness or isolation
Illness, caregiving, or stress
Estrangement in families or relationships
Life transitions that make the season feel different
Whatever brings you through the doors, you’ll find a community that quietly welcomes you exactly as you are.
A Safe Space to Feel
In a season full of noise, Blue Christmas offers something rare:
A space to stop and feel—without judgment.
A community of people who understand that not all holidays feel merry.
A reminder that God is near to the brokenhearted.
A path toward healing, even if the journey is slow and difficult.
You don’t have to carry your grief alone. You don’t have to fake holiday cheer. You don’t have to “get over” anything on someone else’s timeline.
You can show up just as you are—tired, hurting, hopeful, or unsure—and be held in quiet love.
Conclusion
If this season feels heavy, we pray you’ll join us. Whether St. Peter’s is your longtime church home or you’ve never stepped inside before, this service is for you.
God meets us in our joy—yes.
But God also meets us in our grief.
And sometimes, the holiest thing we can do is simply show up with our full, honest hearts.
Blue Christmas
Monday, December 15, 2025 at 7 PM
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Del Mar
There is a place for you here.
And you don’t have to walk through this season alone.
