Dec. 17, 2004 A UMNS Feature By Jan Snider* If
you happen to be in Fairbanks, Alaska, on Dec. 21, you might stop by
First United Methodist Church, sit in quiet contemplation and mark the
Winter Solstice, also known as the longest night of the year. First
Church is an appropriate location because, as the northernmost United
Methodist church on earth, the parishioners will see only three hours
and 42 minutes of daylight. "We know about darkness in Fairbanks," explains the Rev. Dick Smith, pastor. Although
his church is not celebrating the Winter Solstice with a formal
service, he says the darkest day of the year is particularly significant
to his parishioners. "Most Alaskans have a unique opportunity to
understand why the ancient church chose the Winter Solstice to celebrate
the birth of the light of the world into human existence," he says.
"Christmas has a physical as well as a spiritual meaning for those of us
up here in the North." While
the beauty of the surroundings appeals to some, the darkness and
isolation are significant issues for Alaskans. "Even for those who live
in large cities like Anchorage, there is the isolation from family and
friends who live ‘outside,’" Smith says. "Outside" is a term that
Alaskans use to refer to anyplace outside their state. Darkness
and isolation are not limited to Alaskans. The Christmas holiday can be
a joyless time for many. External issues, such as the continuing war in
the Middle East, along with economic and employment concerns can weigh
heavily on some people. Others face darkness because of loneliness or
the loss of a loved one. If December is considered the year’s midnight,
the Winter Solstice is certainly the darkest hour. For
people who live in the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice is the
day when the sun reaches its lowest point in the sky. This year, the
date is Dec. 21, four days before Christmas. But the entire Christmas
season can feel weighty to many. That is why some United Methodist
churches hold a "Longest Night" worship service. "This
is a really important thing for us to do," explains the Rev. Lynn
Hasley of First United Methodist Church in Birmingham, Mich. As
associate minister of pastoral care and spiritual formation, Hasley sees
the holidays as a time of ambivalence, when the season centers on
celebration of Christ’s birth but often provides a reminder of loss and
loneliness. "Christmas
is a time when there is an opportunity to remember people who have been
a part of our lives in the past," she says. "If we pause to embrace
those memories, to think about how our lives have been enriched by those
persons, maybe even to see how God may have been present in those
relationships, then it will be a fuller, richer time of year." Hasley
says that her church’s "longest night" service may be a celebration of
memories, but she doesn’t discount the fact that pain sometimes
accompanies reminisce. "People who are going through difficult times
often need to feel that God is present with them and understands their
suffering. They may not have hope at the moment, but they need to feel a
sense of God’s abiding love and of our love." She
will lead a service that will be contemplative in nature with Scripture
readings, a few life stories, candles and communion. At the conclusion,
four prayer stations will be provided, giving those in need an
opportunity to pray with a pastor. She encourages other churches to hold
such a service. "It’s a great opportunity for churches to say ‘here we
are, we’re here for you.’" For
those who’ve lost a loved one because of a violent act, the holidays
can be especially hard. A sudden tragedy brings shock, numbness,
confusion, "dysfunctionalism," depression, anger, guilt and shame, says
Chaplain Bruce Cook, founder of the United Methodists’ Crime Victims
Advocacy Council in Atlanta. "The holidays can trigger those feelings
all over again, even when a person is in recovery or has reconstructed
their equilibrium," he explains. Cook
understands that it is hard to know what to do when someone is
suffering. "Don’t use platitudes like, ‘It was God’s will, God only
gives us what we can bear, God only helps those who help themselves.’
These sayings make things worse," he says. "Do
say that you are very sorry this tragedy happened to the person and
that you are available to them whenever they want to talk. Listen when
they talk. Let them know you hear their words, feelings and ‘felt
meaning’ (what they are really trying to say behind the words). Genuine
prayer with the person is usually appreciated and promotes healing, but
get their permission first, as they may still be angry with God." A
"Blue Christmas" can affect people throughout the community. As the
lights on the tree burn brightly, many nursing home residents are
reminded of Christmases past with family and friends. "The
contrast with their current living conditions can be especially
depressing," explains Terrell McDaniel, a nursing home psychologist and
United Methodist parishioner in Hendersonville, Tenn. "They start
questioning why they are still here, and often we’ll see a decrease in
appetite and a refusal to participate in group activities, which
ultimately makes the depression worse." Churches can help by reminding congregants to be aware of December’s darkness. By acknowledging pain and loss, hope may follow. "The
Winter Solstice observances not only celebrate the ‘birth of the Son,’
but also the ‘rebirth of the Sun,’" McDaniel says. By framing the Winter
Solstice as a new beginning, people may be able to let go of past hurts
and start shedding feelings of sadness. Different
cultures throughout history have seen the power of the Winter Solstice.
It can represent an important turning point, when the survival of
coldness and darkness gives way to light and when life begins anew. The
"Longest Night" can be a time to feel the presence of God, even in a
time of darkness. *Snider is a freelance producer for United Methodist News Service in Nashville, Tenn. News media contact: Fran Walsh, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5458 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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