Dec. 17, 2004

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.

Suggested Resources Worship With Those Who Mourn A Service of Light in the Midst of Darkness First United Methodist Church Fairbanks, Alaska How to become a caring community UMC.org theme page: Depression

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