Minister’s Column
I was in a store yesterday and the cashier remarked on how it felt super late even though it was just after 7:00 p.m. “Yeah, the sun goes down a lot earlier this time of year,” I said.
“Ugh,” they said. “It went down before 5:00 today.”
I too take notice of the earlier and earlier sunset times in December, so I knew they were right. I wanted to say something like, “Hang in there,” because I sensed that this person was feeling the holiday blues. I wished them a good night and went out into the darkness to drive home.
I’ve been aware of the phenomenon of holiday blues for quite a few years now. According to the Very Well Mind website, it is a feeling of mild to moderate depression during November and December with possible causes including lack of sleep; excess eating and alcohol use; financial stress; and unrealistic expectations of happiness (quoted from Kendra Cherry, MSEd., on verywellmind.com).
Many of us know these feelings either first hand, or by having loved ones who struggle during these months. Like the cashier who seemed to be feeling bummed by the early darkness, many people have moments (or days) of sadness at this time of year. As strategies to cope with the holiday blues, the website quoted above recommends exercise and other forms of self-care, and connecting with others instead of isolating. Anyone reading this is invited to reach out to me for support (I’m a good listener although not a therapist or counselor) and to attend our special service on December 16th. The Blue Holidays service is a mostly quiet service with the chance to acknowledge any difficult emotions you are feeling, an invitation to hope, and an encouragement to self-care. This year’s Blue Holidays service will be on Saturday December 16 at 4:00 p.m.
In this time of gathering darkness, this season of holidays with the pressure to be happy, please be good to yourself. Remember that you are loved and you are not alone.
PRAYER:
Goddess of darkness, spirit of growing silence and stillness, be here now. Remind us of the healing that can take place in the quiet and dark. Remind us to snuggle in our beds and take our rest.
May all who suffer depression--mild or strong, seasonal or pervasive—find help and hope. May we all be part of active communities of care for one another. May each of us know hope and love.
Blessed be.
Rev. Drew Frantz
December 6, 2023