Blue Christmas Vigil on Dec 21 in Mburgh

MIDDLEBURGH - There will be a vigil for all the world's children at a non-denominational Blue Christmas advent service of hope on Sunday, December 21 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church on Main Street in Middleburgh starting at 6:30 PM. 

Christmas time is the season of great joy and light, but for many of us can feel heavy, almost like a season of darkness and shadows. The joy around us can accentuate the pain and loss we have carried. The purpose of this year‘s blue service vigil is the focus on all the world's children suffering from the effects of poverty including limited healthcare, hunger, homelessness, trafficking, sexual violence, sexual abuse, and death. The purpose is not to take the darkness away or minimize any pain, but to help reveal God’s presence in the midst of it. 

This time set apart as a reminder that we do not journey alone. In this place tonight our tears and our pain are not just accepted, they are welcome. 

This is an ecumenical service, and since focusing on the world children, there will be prayers and music representative of many cultures and religions. It will begin at 6:30 and the service, although not timed out, is expected to last an hour, followed by a refreshment period.