For Blue Christmas

this is the time
when things get loud,
when hope gets muffled 

and fears abound.

this is the time
when we gather together
heaping expectation,

judgment, and laughter,
hiding the longing, 

the ache and disaster.

this is the time
when we're fiercely surrounded
but feel lonesome
and foolish
or haunted, confounded.

this is is the time
where the loudest is cheer 

while weary shame lingers right here.

but that is not Truth

you precious, beloved:
we are all hiding, all longing,

all living with judgment.
we are all breaking,

wondering where we belong,
and if there is room for us inside the song.

so put down the list

and lean into the grief
and trust that you are not

merely songless belief

you are messy and worthy -
made perfectly whole
by the One who rubs balm

on the cracks of your soul
by the One who saves nations

with love crescendos.

this is the time
the whole world is blue!
and Jesus is coming

to make the pain new
to strip it of power
to banish all fear
so that life - life abundant -

can boldly appear.

this is the time
for your blue to be known
and lived by a God

who has hay on the throne
and sung by a scrappy

church choir your own
and loved by the babe

who makes blue his home.

Published in Speak It Plain: Words for Worship and Life Together (Fortress Press, 2020).