Holy Discontent

Last updated on: December 5, 2012 at 12:31 pm by Daniel Harrell

Holy Discontent 2012-12-05T12:31:35-04:00 Daniel Harrell

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

In what has become an annual tradition with no connection to Elvis, churches around the country are sponsoring “blue Christmas” services aimed at people for whom the joys of the holiday season are elusive. Candles are still lit and ornaments hung, but they symbolize different things. For instance in one church, tree ornaments were pieces of paper inscribed with the names of people who had died or who were suffering particular hardship. Christmas merriment exacerbates personal pain for people who grieve during December, so having a place to hang their sorrows helps. “This time of year is just terrible for some people,” said one participant, “but this reminds us of our faith in Christ and how much we need to help each other.”

I do find it ironic that Christmas expectations of peace and joy come to dominate the tenor of the season given that the Christmas story itself is such a downer, what with all of its scandal, homelessness, poverty, loss and infanticide. Sure, the angels pronounce “peace of earth,” but that’s proven to be little more than fodder for greeting cards. If we’re reading our Bibles, then every Christmas service is unavoidably blue.

And yet as Christians we appreciate that this is not a bad thing. As writer Diana Butler-Bass points out

Only by noticing what is wrong, seeing the systems and structures that do not foster health and happiness, can we ever make things different. If people were satisfied, there would be no reason to reach for more, no motivation for creativity and innovation. Discontent is one short step from the longing for a better life, a better society, and a better world; and longing is another short step from doing something about what is wrong. Indeed, restlessness possesses a spiritual quality: “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” said Jesus, “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:3). [Excerpt From: Diana Butler Bass. “Christianity After Religion.” HarperCollins. iBooks.

So go ahead, grab a box of tissues and crank up the melancholic tones of George Winston. You may find yourself in the true spirit of the season after all.

Daniel Harrell

Previous Post

December 3, 2012

Damien Hirst is Free

Next Post

December 6, 2012 Odds and Ends

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Alex Blondeau Authors Daniel Harrell Daniel Siedell Dawn Duncan Harrell Kyle Roberts Uncategorized Wyndy Corbin

Select a Month November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What was the primary worship language in the Bible?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Greek Latin Aramaic Hebrew