Podcasts about Blue Christmas

In this episode of the Winning Hand Podcast, hosts Boomguy and LazyTitan reflect on the year 2024 in Marvel Champions, discussing the highlights of their podcast, the impact of reprints, the rise of mutants, and the re-introduction of Alliance cards. They also delve into the villains of the year, particularly focusing on the Age of Apocalypse and the Four Horsemen scenario, providing insights into gameplay mechanics and strategies. In this episode, the hosts delve into the mechanics of hit points and villain strategies in Marvel Champions, exploring various scenarios and modular sets. They discuss their favorite hero packs, aspect cards, and ultimately reveal their favorite heroes of the year, highlighting the evolving gameplay and strategies within the game. Favorite decks of the year: 1. Blue Christmas: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/44647/blue-christmas-1.0 2. Galactic Pool Cleaner: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/38503/galactic-pool-cleaner-1.0 3. The Superior Iron Man: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/38974/the-superior-iron-man-1.0 Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Winning Hand Podcast 02:11 Recap of 2024 Episodes and Highlights 06:05 Exploring the Age of Apocalypse Wave 11:24 Reprints and Their Impact on Gameplay 15:26 The Rise of Mutants in Marvel Champions 19:22 Exploring the Marvel Cinematic Universe 21:10 The Rise of Mutants in Marvel 23:48 Alliance Cards: A New Gameplay Mechanic 32:53 Villains of the Marvel Universe: The Age of Apocalypse 38:21 Hit Points and Villain Mechanics 41:12 Exploring Apocalypse and Dark Beast Scenarios 46:16 Modular Sets and Encounter Cards 49:13 Favorite Villains and Encounter Sets 56:21 Favorite Aspect Cards and Heroes 01:00:52 Exploring New Archetypes and Strategies 01:02:10 Best Basic Cards of the Year 01:05:12 Justice Aspect Highlights 01:07:24 Leadership Cards and Their Impact 01:11:03 Protection Aspect Innovations 01:19:53 Favorite Heroes of the Year 01:26:50 Signoff

Nick is joined by Harrison Burridge (@hburidge2) from The Chelsea Social (@TheChelsSocial) to look back at Chelsea's final two games of 2024, the 2-1 home defeat to Fulham 2-0 loss at Ipswich as well as give out player ratings for both games. Until the next episode  KTBFFH  Follow us on Twitter/X - https://mobile.twitter.com/thatchelseapod Follow us/me on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/nickwilliams98.bsky.social Follow Harrison on Twitter- https://x.com/hburridge2?s=21&t=g5zPb49WBLToqZiZgpCx-w Follow The Chelsea Social-https://twitter.com/thechelssocial?s=21 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Jane talks about how holidays can be hard on some people.

Luke 2:41-52Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day's journey.Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” But they did not understand what he said to them.Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor. I love that – after all of that drama, excitement, fear, and anxiety – after the embarrassment and worry of having lost Jesus – after having traveled and searched and knocked on who knows how many doors – after calling his name in anger, frustration, fear and desperation, God knows how many times, before finally finding him calmly chilling, safe, sound, and smug, in the Temple – Mary “treasured all these things in her heart.” Isn't that just so sweet and motherly of her?And I kind of like that we don't hear a word about Joseph, because I get to use my imagination about his response. I bet Joseph was so pissed and so frustrated – about having to turn around, having to waste all of that time, losing all of those good travel days. He probably missed some work and lost some money because of this nonsense. I imagine him mumbling and groaning and kicking the dirt 20 paces ahead of Mary and Jesus, for three days, all the way back to Nazareth; like a First Century Clark Griswold, while Mary “treasured all of these things in her heart.”You can imagine it right?So stressed … so anxious … so afraid … so guilt-ridden over having lost the boy; or having not double-checked on the boy; or having trusted that the boy – the Son of God, for crying out loud – Emmanuel – which means “GOD WITH US” – would actually BE WITH THEM, like he was supposed to be. I imagine Joseph, muttering and mumbling, angrily under his breath, “Name him Jesus, because he's going to save his people from their sins.” He just LOST ME four days and a week's wages! How's HE gonna “save his people from anything?!?!” Gimme a break! I'll believe it when I see it.Maybe I'm projecting. Surely I digress.But seriously, I made a comment during our Blue Christmas worship service – that annual worship service for the weary, for the sadness and struggle that is also so much a part of the holidays for so many – I said something about how glad I was to see those who showed up, show up, that night. And about how I wish that that service had been as full as I knew it would be on Christmas Eve, which was filled to over-flowing as many of you know, three times over.I said that because I knew on Christmas Eve, we'd have a bumper crop of those folks who come every year “for the festival” – for the pomp and circumstance, for the familiar carols, for the nostalgia of “Silent Night” by candlelight, and for whatever grace and good feels we find in all of that. And it's not nothing. I'm always so glad that they and their families join us, and that we're able to welcome them like we do.But I always want them to know that we're about that kind of goodness and grace year-round in the Church. And I always wonder how long all of that goodness and grace – all of those good feels – last in the hearts and minds and lives of those who join us once a year, or even just every once in a while.Do they make it out of the parking lot – those good feels? Do they last through the night, past Christmas morning, and beyond the opening of all those gifts? Has Jesus gotten lost in the shuffle, left behind in the Temple, as it were; gone missing in the mix that is life in this busy, scary, anxious world we share? And of course, I wonder the same about myself and about all of us, too, who practice our faith more regularly and with such good intentions.Because the truth is, that we all have – or will have – those moments when Jesus seems to go missing … when he doesn't seem as near as he did on Christmas Eve … when we have taken his presence for granted, like even his parents were able to do … and when we have looked for his love, his peace, his hope, his gracious presence in all the wrong places, or not at all … when the circumstances of our lives so easily crowd him out or make him hard to find.And today makes me hope we'll remember that we can always find him here … in the temple, in the Church, in God's house of worship.Don't get me wrong. I'm certain that you can meet Jesus during a walk in the woods, or on the golf course, or sitting in your recliner, by the fire, with a candle and your favorite Bible.But Jesus reminds me today that this is holy ground; that God's house is where he'll always be – in Word, in the sacraments, and in the fellowship of believers who look for him here. And I take that as a great comfort and as a holy charge and calling, too. And I hope you do as well.I hope that we're doing our best – on Christmas Eve and every day – to be sure the love of God, in Jesus, is being made known in this place, always in thought, word, and deed. That through our ministry and mission it's clear Jesus is waiting for whoever comes searching for him; that we're proclaiming his grace with no strings attached; that we're listening for his guidance; that we're receiving and offering his kind of mercy and forgiveness; that we're working for his sort of justice, peace and equity in the world; that we're welcoming others the way we've been welcomed, ourselves. I heard a bit on NPR's “Morning Edition” yesterday, about the hymn “Amazing Grace.” Apparently, New Year's Day, 1773, was the first time that most familiar hymn was ever performed – 251 years ago.And I never wondered about the lyric “I once was lost, but now am found” before, in the context of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and this journey from Jerusalem, as we hear it, so soon after Christmas. “I once was lost, but now am found.”It could mean a million different things for any one of us – at any given time or season of our lives. I wonder what it might have meant for Jesus way back when. Did he feel as lost as his parents thought he was or as any pre-teen kid can feel at that time in their life? Is that why he made his way back to the Temple in the first place? To find some comfort … some company … some holy ground … some kind of peace and love and support he wasn't finding elsewhere in those days? And why wasn't God's house – the Temple – the first place Mary and Joseph thought to find him in?I hope this is always a safe place where you and I – and others – feel welcome to come for worship when it's filled to the brim, when it's just the regulars, or when we just need to be alone with our God.I hope this is sacred space where we can ask hard questions and long for answers, even if they don't come easily, as fast as we'd like, or at all.I hope this is a place where we can find our footing on a bit of holy ground when we need it, where we can search for good news and find the kind of grace that's hard to come by anywhere else in the world.I hope this is a place where we can always find the Jesus who shows up at Christmas, but whose presence lives and moves and breathes among us, always.And I hope this is a place where we let ourselves be found, too, by the abundant, amazing love and grace of God – in such a way that we are clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience and that same love – so much so that others will find us here; that they'll come and see the difference it makes for us – and what a difference it can make in the world when we let it.Amen. Merry Christmas.

Music behind DJ: Chet Atkins - "Jingle Bell Rock" - Christmas with Chet Atkins [0:00:00] Merle Haggard - "If We Make It Through December" [0:05:09] Buck Owens - "Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy" [0:08:14] Patsy Cline & Ferlin Husky - "Let It Snow" [Ozark Jubilee, 1960] [0:10:07] Patsy Cline & Red Foley - "Winter Wonderland" [0:11:46] Dolly Parton - "Hard Candy Christmas" [0:13:28] Hank Snow - "The Reindeer Boogie" [0:17:11] Music behind DJ: Chet Atkins - "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" - Christmas with Chet Atkins [0:19:23] Ernest Tubb And His Texas Troubadours - "Who's Gonna Be Your Santa Claus This Year" [0:22:23] George Jones & Tammy Wynette - "Mr. & Mrs.Santa Claus" [0:24:35] Bobby Helms - "Jingle Bell Rock" [0:27:41] Loretta Lynn - "To Heck With Ole Santa Claus" [0:28:33] Red Simpson - "Truckin' Trees for Christmas" - Truckers' Christmas [0:30:43] Music behind DJ: Chet Atkins - "White Christmas" - Christmas with Chet Atkins [0:33:15] John Prine - "I'll Be Home for Christmas" [0:35:59] Chester Ayers and the Shades - "Trimmin' the Tree at the Rockin' B-III" [0:39:25] Brenda Lee - "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" [0:41:29] Charlie Louvin - "Shut In At Christmas" [0:43:33] Music behind DJ: Chet Atkins - "Little Drummer Boy" - Christmas with Chet Atkins [0:46:54] Elvis Presley - "Blue Christmas" [0:49:23] Dr. Jim Matthews "The Singing Surgeon" - "We'll Have a Blue Christmas, Elvis" [0:51:35] The Western Caravan featuring Thirsty Dave - "Psycho Santa" [0:54:52] Willie Nelson - "Winter Wonderland" [0:58:14] Music behind DJ: Chet Atkins - "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" - Christmas with Chet Atkins [0:59:56] The Del Vetts - "I Want A Boy For Christmas" [1:03:09] The Temptations - "Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer" [1:05:20] Huey "Piano" Smith and The Clowns - "All I Want For Christmas" [1:08:38] Twistin' Kings - "Xmas Twist" [1:11:14] Music behind DJ: Chet Atkins - "Jingle Bell Rock" - Christmas with Chet Atkins [1:14:05] The Cinnamons - "I'm Not Gonna Worry (Cause I Know He's Mine)" [1:17:22] Little Ann - "Sweep It Out In The Shed" - Deep Shadows [1:19:37] Barbara Greene - "Young Boy" [1:22:35] Junior Mance Trio - "Out South" - Happy Time [1:25:11] Ibrahim Maalouf - "True Sorry" - Illusions [1:30:36] The Books - "Tokyo" - The Lemon of Pink [1:35:18] Music behind DJ: Junior Mance Trio - "Jitterbug Waltz" - Happy Time [1:38:53] The Smiths - "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" [1:43:54] Yo La Tengo - "From A Motel 6" - Painful [1:47:33] Garbage - "Milk" [1:51:35] Sparks - "When Do I Get To Sing “My Way”" - Gratuitous Sax and Senseless Violins [1:55:31] Music behind DJ: The Majestics - "Here Come Da Judge" - Here Come Da Judge [1:59:45] A. Colomer - "Himna de Marato de Barcelona 1980" [2:03:57] Tarta Relena - "Stabat Mater" [2:07:28] Duo Dinamico - "Perdoname" [2:11:18] Los Amaya - "Nueva York, Nueva York" [2:14:24] Jorge Drexler - "La Turba (Night Rally)" - Spanish Model [2:18:05] Music behind DJ: The Majestics - "Tighten Up" - Here Come Da Judge [2:20:39] Sonny Harris and the Soul Reflections - "You Were Only Making Believe" [2:23:47] Sugar Pie Desanto - "Soulful Dress" [2:26:21] The Ideals - "You Lost and I Won" [2:29:07] Thelma Houston - "96 Tears" [2:37:17] Alba & The Mighty Lions - "La Verdad" [2:34:49] Ken Boothe - "Everything I Own" [2:39:01] Music behind DJ: The Majestics - "Dock of the Bay" - Here Come Da Judge [2:43:04] The Replacements - "Left of the Dial" - Tim [2:46:32] The Dirtbombs - "If You Can Want" - Ultraglide in Black [2:50:37] Love and Rockets - "Kundalini Express" - Express [2:52:47] Music behind DJ: The Majestics - "Here Come Da Judge" - Here Come Da Judge [2:58:22] Jazz Emu - "The True Meaning of the Season" [3:01:47] Deidre & the Dark - "One Night" [3:04:22] George Harrison - "Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" [3:08:11] Belle and Sebastian - "Like Dylan in the Movies" - If You're Feeling Sinister [3:10:51] Ted Leo/Rx - ""(None)"" [3:14:58] R.E.M. - "Pretty Persuasion" - Reckoning [3:18:18] Music behind DJ: Junior Mance Trio - "Jitterbug Waltz" - Happy Time [3:22:05] Fairuz - "Nassam Alayna" [3:25:12] Ernesto Djedje - "Wanne" [3:29:18] Terence Blanchard - "Dancing In The Dark" - Perry Mason Official Soundtrack [3:32:07] Miles Davis - "Safta" - Sketches of Spain [3:37:53] Music behind DJ: Junior Mance Trio - "Jitterbug Waltz" - Happy Time [3:40:23] Bill Callahan - "Too Many Birds" - Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle [3:42:27] Emperor X - "Raytracer" - Central Hug [3:47:23] Sufjan Stevens - "Decatur, or, Round of Applause for Your Stepmother!" - Come On Feel The Illinoise [3:48:54] Brian Eno - "2/2" - Ambient 1: Music For Airports [3:51:56] https://www.wfmu.org/playlists/shows/147458

Music behind DJ: Chet Atkins - "Jingle Bell Rock" - Christmas with Chet Atkins [0:00:00] Merle Haggard - "If We Make It Through December" [0:05:09] Buck Owens - "Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy" [0:08:14] Patsy Cline & Ferlin Husky - "Let It Snow" [Ozark Jubilee, 1960] [0:10:07] Patsy Cline & Red Foley - "Winter Wonderland" [0:11:46] Dolly Parton - "Hard Candy Christmas" [0:13:28] Hank Snow - "The Reindeer Boogie" [0:17:11] Music behind DJ: Chet Atkins - "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" - Christmas with Chet Atkins [0:19:23] Ernest Tubb And His Texas Troubadours - "Who's Gonna Be Your Santa Claus This Year" [0:22:23] George Jones & Tammy Wynette - "Mr. & Mrs.Santa Claus" [0:24:35] Bobby Helms - "Jingle Bell Rock" [0:27:41] Loretta Lynn - "To Heck With Ole Santa Claus" [0:28:33] Red Simpson - "Truckin' Trees for Christmas" - Truckers' Christmas [0:30:43] Music behind DJ: Chet Atkins - "White Christmas" - Christmas with Chet Atkins [0:33:15] John Prine - "I'll Be Home for Christmas" [0:35:59] Chester Ayers and the Shades - "Trimmin' the Tree at the Rockin' B-III" [0:39:25] Brenda Lee - "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" [0:41:29] Charlie Louvin - "Shut In At Christmas" [0:43:33] Music behind DJ: Chet Atkins - "Little Drummer Boy" - Christmas with Chet Atkins [0:46:54] Elvis Presley - "Blue Christmas" [0:49:23] Dr. Jim Matthews "The Singing Surgeon" - "We'll Have a Blue Christmas, Elvis" [0:51:35] The Western Caravan featuring Thirsty Dave - "Psycho Santa" [0:54:52] Willie Nelson - "Winter Wonderland" [0:58:14] Music behind DJ: Chet Atkins - "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" - Christmas with Chet Atkins [0:59:56] The Del Vetts - "I Want A Boy For Christmas" [1:03:09] The Temptations - "Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer" [1:05:20] Huey "Piano" Smith and The Clowns - "All I Want For Christmas" [1:08:38] Twistin' Kings - "Xmas Twist" [1:11:14] Music behind DJ: Chet Atkins - "Jingle Bell Rock" - Christmas with Chet Atkins [1:14:05] The Cinnamons - "I'm Not Gonna Worry (Cause I Know He's Mine)" [1:17:22] Little Ann - "Sweep It Out In The Shed" - Deep Shadows [1:19:37] Barbara Greene - "Young Boy" [1:22:35] Junior Mance Trio - "Out South" - Happy Time [1:25:11] Ibrahim Maalouf - "True Sorry" - Illusions [1:30:36] The Books - "Tokyo" - The Lemon of Pink [1:35:18] Music behind DJ: Junior Mance Trio - "Jitterbug Waltz" - Happy Time [1:38:53] The Smiths - "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" [1:43:54] Yo La Tengo - "From A Motel 6" - Painful [1:47:33] Garbage - "Milk" [1:51:35] Sparks - "When Do I Get To Sing “My Way”" - Gratuitous Sax and Senseless Violins [1:55:31] Music behind DJ: The Majestics - "Here Come Da Judge" - Here Come Da Judge [1:59:45] A. Colomer - "Himna de Marato de Barcelona 1980" [2:03:57] Tarta Relena - "Stabat Mater" [2:07:28] Duo Dinamico - "Perdoname" [2:11:18] Los Amaya - "Nueva York, Nueva York" [2:14:24] Jorge Drexler - "La Turba (Night Rally)" - Spanish Model [2:18:05] Music behind DJ: The Majestics - "Tighten Up" - Here Come Da Judge [2:20:39] Sonny Harris and the Soul Reflections - "You Were Only Making Believe" [2:23:47] Sugar Pie Desanto - "Soulful Dress" [2:26:21] The Ideals - "You Lost and I Won" [2:29:07] Thelma Houston - "96 Tears" [2:37:17] Alba & The Mighty Lions - "La Verdad" [2:34:49] Ken Boothe - "Everything I Own" [2:39:01] Music behind DJ: The Majestics - "Dock of the Bay" - Here Come Da Judge [2:43:04] The Replacements - "Left of the Dial" - Tim [2:46:32] The Dirtbombs - "If You Can Want" - Ultraglide in Black [2:50:37] Love and Rockets - "Kundalini Express" - Express [2:52:47] Music behind DJ: The Majestics - "Here Come Da Judge" - Here Come Da Judge [2:58:22] Jazz Emu - "The True Meaning of the Season" [3:01:47] Deidre & the Dark - "One Night" [3:04:22] George Harrison - "Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" [3:08:11] Belle and Sebastian - "Like Dylan in the Movies" - If You're Feeling Sinister [3:10:51] Ted Leo/Rx - ""(None)"" [3:14:58] R.E.M. - "Pretty Persuasion" - Reckoning [3:18:18] Music behind DJ: Junior Mance Trio - "Jitterbug Waltz" - Happy Time [3:22:05] Fairuz - "Nassam Alayna" [3:25:12] Ernesto Djedje - "Wanne" [3:29:18] Terence Blanchard - "Dancing In The Dark" - Perry Mason Official Soundtrack [3:32:07] Miles Davis - "Safta" - Sketches of Spain [3:37:53] Music behind DJ: Junior Mance Trio - "Jitterbug Waltz" - Happy Time [3:40:23] Bill Callahan - "Too Many Birds" - Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle [3:42:27] Emperor X - "Raytracer" - Central Hug [3:47:23] Sufjan Stevens - "Decatur, or, Round of Applause for Your Stepmother!" - Come On Feel The Illinoise [3:48:54] Brian Eno - "2/2" - Ambient 1: Music For Airports [3:51:56] https://www.wfmu.org/playlists/shows/147458

Bob's producer Brendan Thomas shares his favorite and least favorite Christmas songs and carols. Needless to say, Bob responds with some opinion of his own. Songs discussed include, Blue Christmas, White Christmas, All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth, Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer, All I Want For Christmas is You, […]

The Magnificat or Song of Mary is one of the most revolutionary declarations in all of human history. On this Christmas Day 2024, may we be inspired by her words, and see the healing connections between this passage in Luke's Gospel and The Black Madonna. For those who may be feeling sad on this day and during the Holidays, The Washington National Cathedral has a series of services called Blue Christmas. Here is the link: The Blue Christmas 2024 Service at The Washington National Cathedral https://www.youtube.com/live/NO9llbZ5bV8?si=uMD8Q9q7B2HUStPp Itinerary for The Black Madonna Tour of Northern Spain, October 3 - 17 2025 https://blackmadonnaheart.blogspot.com/2024/07/transformative-darkness-recovering.html To receive updates on The Transformative Darkness with the Black Madonna 2025 Tour https://forms.gle/DpmFsv28SxyraM7k7 To make a one time donation of any amount to support the podcast, please donate to https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/BlackMadonnaHeartBecome a Patron for the channel at https://www.patreon.com/TheBlackMadonnaSpeaks To purchase Black Madonna Speaks extra content, please visit https://www.patreon.com/theblackmadonnaspeaks/shop #divinefeminine #sacredfeminine #virginmary #ourlady #blackmadonna #anthroposophy #spiritualjourney #camino #pilgrimage #mothermary #spirituality #Christmas #Magnificat #Songofmary --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stephanie-georgieff/support

Sometimes we find ourselves sad at Christmas. Perhaps its because we have lost loved ones, maybe we are estranged from our families, finances are in the gutter, you name it. But, we can also be happy that it's Christmas. In this episode, Jamelle will share all of the above and it is OKAY to be grieving and joyous at the same time. Please remember, if you need or want to reach out to Jamelle, you can find her on social media or her email is jamellegodlewski@gmail.comYou can find out more about Jamelle at www.jamellegodlewski.comInstagram - Jamelle GodlewskiFacebook - Jamelle Godlewski - Leader and Kingdom InfluencerYouTube - Jamelle Godlewski

Mona Siddiqui and guests hear from Rev Denzil Larbi. He reflects on his cousin, Elianne Andam, who was 15 when she was fatally stabbed at a bus stop in Croydon, South London, in September 2023. He discusses their Christmases together and how the family mark Christmas without her.The panel of guests explore the complexities that often come with religious festivals especially those that come with an expectation of jollity. Do religions do enough for those who are grieving or isolated at times of collective merriment? Should religious leaders and communities be more responsible and nuanced in their approach? And, are some religions better at dealing with grief than others?To discuss Mona is joined by Jasvir Singh, from the Department of Theology and Religion at Birmingham University, Chair of City Sikhs, and the founder and Chair of the British Sikh Report, the Revd Lucy Winkett, Rector of St James's, Piccadilly, and Priest-in-Charge of St Pancras's Church, Euston Road, and Remona Aly, British Muslim journalist, commentator and broadcaster with a focus on faith, identity and lifestyle. Producer: Alexa Good Assistant Producer: Linda Walker Editor: Tim Pemberton

Hello you Villa Voicenoters, been a while hasn't it? You might have seen, we've posted our big Christmas Special episode this weekend, but it's a visual feast for your eyes on our YouTube channel. So I thought I'd give you a little flavour of what to expect in today's episode, go over to YouTube for the full extravaganza, it's well worth your time trust me! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A short meditation from Pastor John Mottley at the First Presbyterian Church of South Amboy during our Blue Christmas Service - a service of healing and hope.    Contact us and Get more information!  Website: http://www.fpcsachurch.org/  Email: firstsouthamboy@optimum.net  YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFuGhQ2f12YA3gHe0oy8Qfw  Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/FPCSAMBOY    Join us for Worship!  Sundays at 10:30am  First Presbyterian Church of South Amboy 150 N Broadway, South Amboy NJ 08879 

Preacher: Pastor Alex SmithScripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8______________________________

For some, the holidays can be filled with joy and happiness and celebration. But for others, this time of year can bring about feelings of sadness from the loss they have experienced in their lives. The Blue Christmas service at The Grove strives to recognize this fact and give people not only a place to recognize and process their sadness and/or grief, but to find hope in Jesus Christ as well.

Phil Cozzi joins Josiah to get in the holiday spirit and discuss The Holdovers (2023) and having a bad time around Christmas.Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah's work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsuttonMusic & audio creditsSilver Joy - Damien JuradoYesterday – bloom.In My Dreams – bloomGod Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - David Bazan ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Your football calls with Robbie Savage and Chris Sutton after Arsenal smash Palace, Manchester City lose again and Forest keep up their top four push.

For more information regarding The Clearing Church, visit our website by clicking hereFollow us on Instagram today by clicking hereWatch the message on our YouTube channel here

Today on the Christian History Almanac, we consider a “Blue” Christmas in two different ways. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi Junk Drawer Jesus By Matt Popovits Signup For Free Advent Church Resources for 2024 Clothed with Christ by Brian William Thomas More from the hosts: Dan van Voorhis SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: https://www.1517.org/podcasts/the-christian-history-almanac CONTACT: CHA@1517.org SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Overcast Google Play FOLLOW US: Facebook Twitter Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (gillespie.media).

Jay is out this week rehearsing with the Ken Demith Collection so friend of the show Keith Grasso is sitting in, and he's bringing a substantial amount of, much needed, holiday cheer. Last year Keith decided to record his own rendition of “Blue Christmas” and he enjoyed the process so much that he's done it again this year.Songs:Keith Grasso - “Christmastime is Here”Keith Grasso & John Rossman - “Hard Candy Christmas”In lieu of actual presents, Nick found some feel good news story to share via “News with Nick.” Notre Dame's organist returns for the grand opening, Pearl Jam announces a tour, as does the Middle Aged Dad Jam Band.Song: Barenaked Ladies - “Deck the Stills”Greg wraps up our show this week with a Three for Thursday. New music from Opeth & Kelsey Shell, and a classic Christmas Carol by Bill Evans.Songs:Opeth - “§3”Kelsey Shell (album - sleepwalker) - “When You're Lying There”Bill Evans - “Santa Clause is Coming to Town”Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays everyone, thanks so much for listening!

John 20:24-28But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hands in his side, I will not believe.”A week later, the disciples were again in the house, and this time Thomas was with them. Jesus came, again, and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” And he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand put it in my side. Do not doubt, but believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord, and my God.” David Brooks, in his book, How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen, the inspiration behind our Advent journey this season, tells some beautiful and hard stories about grief and despair and suffering. He gives some sad statistics about how and why we are such a disconnected people these days – and about what it means to experience hardships ourselves, to learn to see them in others, and to walk with others – and each other – through the struggles of this life.If you've picked up the book, but haven't made your way into it, yet – and you're here tonight – maybe Part 2, Chapter 8, page 97, is a place you could begin reading. (If you don't have this book – or don't know or care about any of that – fear not; none of it is necessary. I plan to fill in all the gaps you might be missing.)But in discussing what it means to see one another in our struggles, David Brooks tells part of Frederick Buechner's story. Buechner was a Presbyterian minister, theologian and very prolific author – a few of who's books were required reading in my Pastoral Care and Counseling courses back in seminary. When Buechner was just ten years old – and his younger brother, only 8 – their dad peaked in them early one morning in their bedroom before they were set to go on a family outing about which the brothers were quite excited.It was too early that morning to get up so the boys stayed in bed, in their room, anticipating the fun day they had planned. As Brooks writes it, “A little while later, they heard a scream and the sounds of doors opening and closing. They looked out their window and saw their father lying in the gravel driveway, with their mother and grandmother, barefoot and still in their nightgowns, leaning over him. Each woman had one of his legs in her hands. They were lifting his legs up and down as if they were operating two handles of a pump. Nearby, the garage door was open and blue smoke was billowing out.“… their father had gassed himself to death. It took them a few days to find the suicide note, which their dad had scratched in pencil on the last page of Gone with the Wind. It was addressed to their mom, [and said]: ‘I adore you and love you, and am no good … Give Freddy my watch. Give Jamie my pearl pin. I give you all my love.'”Within just a couple of months, Buechner's mother moved them to Bermuda, where they started a new life, and little Freddy effectively avoided and denied whatever grief he would have/could have/should have probably wrestled with until he couldn't avoid it any longer – when he became a young adult. His work as a teacher and author helped with that, as did more life experiences and research into his dad's past and family history. Sadly, and surprisingly, it wasn't until he reached middle age that Frederick Buechner was able to cry real tears – to actually grieve – the loss of the father he loved very much.I picked this story to tell, because I agree with David Brooks: that the trajectory and experience of Frederick Buechner's grief is a familiar one for many people. See if this scenario sounds familiar:Some sadness, struggle, or even tragedy strikes. There is a period of shock and grief that feels too great to face or engage, so that grief – and all the emotions that come along with it – are packed away, avoided, denied, whatever. We suck it up and move on, because we think that will be easier. We brave the grief alone, or quietly, because that looks like “strength” to us – and that supposed “strength” is often affirmed as such by the world around us. At the very least, maybe we minimize whatever grief or struggle finds us because we are needed by others – children, parents, spouses – or because we don't want to appear weak, or to be a burden or a buzz-kill, or something of the like.(Again, not that anyone here would ever … but does any of this sound familiar?)Whatever the case, this can go on for quite some time … until it can't anymore. In Frederick Buechner's case, it took decades before it caught up with him and before he was finally able to find meaning and new life through the grief he learned to experience and engage over having lost his father so young and so tragically.Anderson Cooper tells a similar story. (I know I am a broken record about Anderson Cooper and his podcast “All There Is,” and I'm sorry – not sorry – that I bring it up every chance I get. If nothing else I have to say tonight resonates or sounds encouraging or helpful to you, make listening to that podcast part of your holy homework soon and very soon. I propose – I almost promise – it will either help you find some words and wisdom about whatever grief you've already experienced, or it will prepare you for the grief that will find you – as it does us all – at some point in our lives.)Anyway, the whole reason Anderson Cooper started this podcast a few years ago, where he interviews others all and only about their grief is because – at the age of 55 – he realized he had never been taught or encouraged to engage, let alone wrestle with or mend, the deep grief he endured by losing his father to heart-failure when he was just 10 years old (like Frederick Beuchner was); or the grief he suffered after losing his 23 year-old brother to suicide when he was just 21.Instead of grieving well, Anderson says as a young adult, he traveled the world, risking his life to report on wars and tragedies and disasters – literally on a global scale – so that, while simultaneously running from and avoiding his own grief, he could subconsciously measure that kind of horrific sadness against his own, and maybe see how other people survived in the face of it.Anderson Cooper embodies Frederick Buechner's suggestion that, even though we long more than anything to be known fully, grief – even though it is utterly universal – may be one of the things that is most difficult to embrace, admit, or share about ourselves.It's why what we're up to tonight is as practical as it is holy to me. It's why I'm so grateful you've showed up. It's why I wish this place was as full tonight as it will be on Christmas Eve.See, on a recent episode of that podcast, Anderson Cooper interviewed the actor Andrew Garfield, who talked about the loss of his mother. And Andrew Garfield said something so profound it's been making its way around the internet, lately. Maybe you've seen or heard it. “The wound is the only route to the gift.”I wonder if, when Jesus showed up for the disciples after his death – and then again to Thomas, who refused to believe it …I wonder if he was doing even more than proving his identity … if he was doing more, even, than just showing evidence of his resurrection … I wonder if, when Jesus showed off the wounds in his hands and on his sides… If, when he invited Thomas to put his fingers “here” and to see his hands, to reach out his own hands and to touch the wounded sides of Jesus…I wonder if Jesus was offering Thomas healing for the deep grief he surely felt, and if he was showing them all – and us, too – that “the wound is the only route to the gift” that even our grief can be for us, as people of faith.Not that we would ever choose the grief that comes our way …Not that we deserve the deep sadness and struggle that finds us, too often, on this side of heaven …But that, because God shows up in Jesus to walk the way of suffering before and beside us as we go, we can remind ourselves and each other that God does God's best work in the dark, sad, scary places of our lives.See, I believe God showed up, in Jesus, to remind us that the only way through the grief that finds us in this life – and toward the healing and hope we desire and deserve – is to trust that it won't last forever; that we don't need to fear or deny or avoid or pretend that it shouldn't exist; that we can come to and through the wounds of our sadness and struggle… We can touch and tend to what hurts us most… (“The wound is the only route to the gift.”)And we can share all of that with one another, without fear, shame, or hesitation. And we can let the light of God's grace – the light that shines in the darkness – shine in our direction, too. And we can let it heal what we cannot, on our own … and we can let it bless our lives with the love that is born for us all, even and especially in our darkest days … with thanks for this Jesus – who was, who is, and who is to come.Amen. Merry Christmas.

"Grow Spiritually" is a monthly guided devotional, offered for use with your family or on your own.  December's theme is Blue Christmas.

Mike Ferguson in the Morning 12-19-24 (8:05am) MORNING NEWS DUMP Democratic Rep. Hakeem Jeffries points his finger at Republicans if the CR fails. But the right says THIS is what the nation voted for...stop the crazy spending!! So take a look at Plan B here: https://redstate.com/beccalower/2024/12/19/breaking-house-hammers-out-plan-b-continuing-resolution-heres-whats-in-it-n2183432 A St. Louis County judge will decide who selects the new County Prosecutor. Meanwhile, Melissa Price-Smith said she was told twice to gather some "dirt" on Republican candidate for the County Council Mike Archer. There's been a second arrest in connection with the murder of CBC student and hockey player Colin Brown. It's 28-year-old Donovan Baucom. It could be a Blue Christmas for some folks expecting holiday deliveries from Amazon. Workers at seven Amazon facilities, including Skokie, IL, New York City, Atlanta, and San Francisco, and four in Southern California, are all part of the strike, with Amazon employees at other facilities indicating that they may also join the picket line. Although these employees are represented by the Teamsters Union, Amazon doesn't recognize that affiliation. Story here: https://redstate.com/terichristoph/2024/12/19/teamsters-strike-amazon-n2183417 Trump administration may consider ankle monitors to keep track of illegal aliens. Story here: https://nypost.com/2024/12/18/us-news/incoming-trump-admin-looks-to-expand-ankle-monitor-use-for-illegal-migrants-report/ Blues (15-15-3) face the Lightning (17-10-2) tonight in Tampa Bay at 6pm CT. (8:20am) Do you think Disney is finally getting the message? They pulled a pro "trans" storyline from an upcoming children's show. Perverts on the Left are upset. Folks on the right see another small victory in the fight against perversion. Story here: https://redstate.com/terichristoph/2024/12/18/disney-reads-the-room-axes-transgender-storyline-from-upcoming-pixar-childrens-show-n2183366 (8:35am) Phil Kerpen, president of American Commitment and the Committee to Unleash Prosperity, talks about a possible government shutdown by this weekend as the CR (Continuing Resolution) bill fails to pass, which of course means that society will grind to a halt, according to Democrats. Story on the CR here: https://redstate.com/bobhoge/2024/12/18/house-minority-leader-wails-about-gop-killing-continuing-resolution-elon-musk-floors-him-with-reality-n2183397 Also story here: https://redstate.com/bonchie/2024/12/18/trump-and-vance-blast-spending-bill-full-of-democrat-giveaways-and-mike-johnson-gets-weak-knees-n2183387 (https://www.americancommitment.org/) (https://www.americancommitment.org/phil-kerpen/) (@kerpen) (https://committeetounleashprosperity.com/) Sign up for their free daily newsletter here: https://committeetounleashprosperity.com/ (8:50am) We discuss Christmas metal songs, including a look at Ronnie James Dio doing God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. NewsTalkSTL website: https://newstalkstl.com/ Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/NewsTalkSTL Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/NewstalkSTL Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewsTalkSTL Livestream 24/7: bit.ly/NEWSTALKSTLSTREAMSSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike Ferguson in the Morning 12-19-24 (6:05am) MORNING NEWS DUMP Democratic Rep. Hakeem Jeffries points his finger at Republicans if the CR fails. But the right says THIS is what the nation voted for...stop the crazy spending!! So take a look at Plan B here: https://redstate.com/beccalower/2024/12/19/breaking-house-hammers-out-plan-b-continuing-resolution-heres-whats-in-it-n2183432 A St. Louis County judge will decide who selects the new County Prosecutor. Meanwhile, Melissa Price-Smith said she was told twice to gather some "dirt" on Republican candidate for the County Council Mike Archer. There's been a second arrest in connection with the murder of CBC student and hockey player Colin Brown. It's 28-year-old Donovan Baucom. It could be a Blue Christmas for some folks expecting holiday deliveries from Amazon. Workers at seven Amazon facilities, including Skokie, IL, New York City, Atlanta, and San Francisco, and four in Southern California, are all part of the strike, with Amazon employees at other facilities indicating that they may also join the picket line. Although these employees are represented by the Teamsters Union, Amazon doesn't recognize that affiliation. Story here: https://redstate.com/terichristoph/2024/12/19/teamsters-strike-amazon-n2183417 Trump administration may consider ankle monitors to keep track of illegal aliens. Story here: https://nypost.com/2024/12/18/us-news/incoming-trump-admin-looks-to-expand-ankle-monitor-use-for-illegal-migrants-report/ Blues (15-15-3) face the Lightning (17-10-2) tonight in Tampa Bay at 6pm CT. (6:20am) We discuss St. Louis County Executive Sam Page's possible election interference as Melissa Price-Smith says she was asked to find "dirt" on Mike Archer. Story here: https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/candidate-st-louis-county-prosecutor-claims-sam-page-staffer-asked-her-to-dig-up-dirt-on-rival/63-06156d0b-3f66-494e-9025-2aa905305555?ref=exit-recirc (6:35am) Do you think Disney is finally getting the message? They pulled a pro "trans" storyline from an upcoming children's show. Perverts on the Left are upset. Folks on the right see another small victory in the fight against perversion. Story here: https://redstate.com/terichristoph/2024/12/18/disney-reads-the-room-axes-transgender-storyline-from-upcoming-pixar-childrens-show-n2183366 (6:50am) MORNING NEWS DUMP Democratic Rep. Hakeem Jeffries points his finger at Republicans if the CR fails. But the right says THIS is what the nation voted for...stop the crazy spending!! So take a look at Plan B here: https://redstate.com/beccalower/2024/12/19/breaking-house-hammers-out-plan-b-continuing-resolution-heres-whats-in-it-n2183432 A St. Louis County judge will decide who selects the new County Prosecutor. Meanwhile, Melissa Price-Smith said she was told twice to gather some "dirt" on Republican candidate for the County Council Mike Archer. There's been a second arrest in connection with the murder of CBC student and hockey player Colin Brown. It's 28-year-old Donovan Baucom. It could be a Blue Christmas for some folks expecting holiday deliveries from Amazon. Workers at seven Amazon facilities, including Skokie, IL, New York City, Atlanta, and San Francisco, and four in Southern California, are all part of the strike, with Amazon employees at other facilities indicating that they may also join the picket line. Although these employees are represented by the Teamsters Union, Amazon doesn't recognize that affiliation. Story here: https://redstate.com/terichristoph/2024/12/19/teamsters-strike-amazon-n2183417 Trump administration may consider ankle monitors to keep track of illegal aliens. Story here: https://nypost.com/2024/12/18/us-news/incoming-trump-admin-looks-to-expand-ankle-monitor-use-for-illegal-migrants-report/ Blues (15-15-3) face the Lightning (17-10-2) tonight in Tampa Bay at 6pm CT. NewsTalkSTL website: https://newstalkstl.com/ Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/NewsTalkSTL Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/NewstalkSTL Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewsTalkSTL Livestream 24/7: bit.ly/NEWSTALKSTLSTREAMSSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a textWelcome to Guess the Year! This is an interactive, competitive podcast series where you will be able to play along and compete against your fellow listeners. Here is how the scoring works:10 points: Get the year dead on!7 points: 1-2 years off4 points: 3-5 years off1 point: 6-10 years offGuesses can be emailed to drandrewmay@gmail.com or texted using the link at the top of the show notes (please leave your name).I will read your scores out before the next episode, along with the scores of your fellow listeners! Please email your guesses to Andrew no later than 12pm EST on the day the next episode posts if you want them read out on the episode (e.g., if an episode releases on Monday, then I need your guesses by 12pm EST on Wednesday; if an episode releases on Friday, then I need your guesses by 12 pm EST on Monday). Note: If you don't get your scores in on time, they will still be added to the overall scores I am keeping. So they will count for the final scores - in other words, you can catch up if you get behind, you just won't have your scores read out on the released episode. All I need is your guesses (e.g., Song 1 - 19xx, Song 2 - 20xx, Song 3 - 19xx, etc.). Please be honest with your guesses! Best of luck!!The answers to today's ten songs can be found below. If you are playing along, don't scroll down until you have made your guesses. .....Have you made your guesses yet? If so, you can scroll down and look at the answers......Okay, answers coming. Don't peek if you haven't made your guesses yet!.....Intro song: Shake Up Christmas by Train (2009)Song 1: White Christmas by Diana Krall (2005)Song 2: Mary, Did You Know? by Dolly Parton (2020)Song 3: Looks Like a Cold, Cold Winter by Ingrid Michaelson (2018)Song 4: All I Want For Christmas is You by Mariah Carey (1994)Song 5: Hey Skinny Santa! by JD McPherson (2018)Song 6: I'll Be Home for Christmas by Pentatonix (2016)Song 7: Here Comes Christmas by Alvin & the Chipmunks (1994)Song 8: Christmas in Hollis by Run-D.M.C. (1987)Song 9: The Christmas Song by Dave Barnes (2010)Song 10: Blue Christmas by Elvis Presley (1957)

Oh it's a me...Luigi!!! Yep that's right, Luigi Mangione, he's taken #prisontok by storm, and the girls are here to discuss his case, and how much he has impacted social media and the prison world. Paige and Gigi also discuss what the holidays are like for a prison wife. It's not always the most exciting time of year, especially when your loved one is away while family and friends are gathering. They offer tips to help any prison wife, whether a newbie or a vet, on how to navigate the holidays...even if you are having a "Blue Christmas." As always, the girls share out some important information regarding reform, and they end the pod by taking viewer questions.

Carson and Curt Buell dive into playing Christmas songs on the piano without sheet music or chord charts needed. Curt demonstrates his ability by playing various Christmas classics like 'Blue Christmas,' 'Last Christmas,' and 'Carol of the Bells.' They discuss the importance of listening and learning to play by ear, the influence of experience, and tips for improving your piano skills. Curt also shares  his encounter with Mark Lowry, writer of 'Mary, Did You Know.' This episode is perfect for those who are looking to enhance their worship piano skills and impress their family and friends this the holiday seasons.Curt Buell WebsitePlaying Worship Keys By Ear eBookFree Silent Night Notation ResourceThanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email carson@theworshipkeys.com. New episodes release every Wednesday!

Summary This episode of "Coping" centers on the idea of 'Blue Christmas,' exploring how the holiday season can be both joyful and sorrowful for many people. Kathy and Kevin discuss how grief and joy can coexist during the holidays, particularly for those experiencing loss or major life changes. Kevin shares a personal experience from 2020 working as a bedside chaplain during Covid, while Kathy discusses her preference for Thanksgiving over Christmas due to its focus on gratitude. The conversation includes recommendations for grief support resources, specifically mentioning David Kessler's holiday grief support and Grief Share's 'Surviving the Holidays' program. The episode concludes with a suggested ritual of hanging a blue ornament and shares Jan Richardson's 'Blessing for the Brokenhearted' poem. Highlights Introduction to Blue Christmas Concept The hosts introduce the concept of 'Blue Christmas,' acknowledging that while the holiday season is typically portrayed as joyful, it can be a time of deep sorrow for many. Speaker0 emphasizes that it's acceptable to feel both joy and sadness during the holidays, whether due to recent loss or general struggles. Personal Experiences with Blue Christmas Kevin shares his significant Blue Christmas experience from 2020 while working as a hospital chaplain during Covid, feeling disconnected from the holiday spirit. Kathy reflects on her preference for Thanksgiving over Christmas, noting how commercialization has affected the holiday's meaning. Support Resources and Coping Strategies The hosts discuss two major grief support resources: David Kessler's holiday grief support sessions and Grief Share's 'Surviving the Holidays' program. Kathy shares a success story about someone who found community through Grief Share, even leading to social activities like cruises with fellow group members. Closing Ritual and Poetic Reflection The episode concludes with Kevin suggesting a ritual of hanging a blue ornament on the Christmas tree to acknowledge sadness during the holidays. The hosts share Jan Richardson's 'Blessing for the Brokenhearted' poem, which explores themes of love, grief, and resilience. Kevin Hey everyone, welcome back to another episode of "Coping". Today we're going to center around a powerful theme that speaks to many during this time of year. Kathy Yes, today we're going to be talking about the idea of a blue Christmas, and this acknowledges that while the holiday season is often portrayed as joyful and celebratory, for many it's a time of deep sorrow, reflection, and longing. Kevin All right, let's get started. Kevin So this concept of a blue Christmas reminds us that it's okay not to feel cheerful during the holidays, whether you've experienced a recent loss or a major life change this last year, or you just simply find yourself struggling. The idea of blue Christmas creates space for all of those feelings to exist without judgment. And I would even say to coexist that you can feel both joy and sadness in this time of year. What do you think about that, Kathy? Kathy Yes. I think that we often associate it with Elvis Presley's famous song, but the significance of this of course goes deeper and is felt more strongly depending on what your circumstances are. Churches and communities sometimes hold blue Christmas services as a way to honor grief and create a sacred space for those who need it. Kevin Yeah, and you know, whether you are part of a faith community or have your own faith practices at home, these types of rituals often feature quiet reflection, soft lighting, and even specific practices that can validate feelings of sadness, but are intended to offer some hope and comfort in that sense of community and in those rituals that are offered. And again, they just remind us that grief and joy can coexist. And I think this is an often misconception of grief in general, that the experience of grief happens only one stage at a time, it's like it's a linear experience. And those of you that have been through grief know that the reality is you can feel many emotions within one day and within one moment even. And so this time of year can bring up all of those emotions, perhaps not just joy, perhaps not just sadness, but a good mix of both. Kathy You know, we talk about a season that's supposed to be merry and bright. But like you mentioned, sometimes there's a mix of different things that occur in happy or celebratory times for us. It's that bittersweet that we talk about. Have you ever had a blue Christmas? Kevin That's such a good question. I don't think that there is one year in particular that was more blue than others. Well, you know, actually, now that I think of it, I think 2020 is perhaps the pinnacle blue Christmas for me. Kathy Sure, sure. Kevin At that time, I was working as a bedside chaplain at a hospital that was overrun with Covid, like many were. And it was the first year that I felt like it wasn't Christmas, that the season really had no meaning. And I felt disconnected from some of the decorations I saw up and around, some of the attire that folks were wearing, like Christmas hats and red. It just felt so far from the reality of what I was experiencing each day that I didn't know how to feel merry and bright and filled with joy and celebration in that year. And so I think that was the year that was a blue Christmas because it was like a non-existent Christmas. The spirit of the season was just so absent for me. What about for you? Kathy I don't know if I could think of an actual blue Christmas, but there have definitely been Christmases that have been hard and heavy for certain, where it didn't feel like that everything, it didn't match the moment of what the season is supposed to be. But I mean, I think the truth of the true story of Christmas is also the same. We just have commercialized it to, with the Hallmark movies and all of the trappings of Christmas, especially here in this country, which is why it's not my favorite holiday, admittedly. It's why I like Thanksgiving because it's back to the --Thanksgiving focuses more on gratitude and family and meaningful things. And so-- Kevin You bring up such a great point about how, you know, if you're listening today and you don't have a specific loss that you've had this year or perhaps you can't even think of a major loss in your life, a blue Christmas can still be an experience that you're you're having and it may just be all of those little losses that we carry with us in our lives and the hardships that shape us through year after year and perhaps you're not even sure why you feel a little bit of that tinge of sadness and the invitation from this idea of blue Christmas isn't to to invite all of those authentic feelings that you're feeling this time of year and allow whatever color your spirit is right now that it's okay to feel those feelings in the midst of seeing decorations go up and celebrations go up that we each have to create space for that blue or create space for whatever other color our spirit is this season Kathy Yes, exactly. And there are some wonderful resources that can help guide us through the process of navigating grief through the holidays. The first resource we'd like to highlight is Holiday Grief Support with David Kessler. And some of you may know David is one of the world's foremost experts on grief. His free holiday sessions offer practical strategies to help you honor your loved ones and find meaning during this challenging time. Kevin So, David Kessler is a resource that we reference a lot here on this podcast, and I think what's really special about David's work and his approach is that he focuses on finding a balance between grief that is real and present, but also the season that calls for celebration. And he talks about creating new traditions that can honor the past while also embracing the present and still what is to come. And so I just endorse this holiday grief support group and resources that David Kessler and his team offers. And there's a second resource that is also really beneficial any time of year, but especially now. There's a grief support group called Grief Share, and they have a specific gathering and resources called Surviving the Holidays. Again, recognizing this idea that the holidays can be merry and bright, but also filled with sadness. And so their program offers workshops. They also have some specifically designed steps that you can take, strategies to navigate all of the complexities of the season and all the emotions that come. Kathy Yes, I've known quite a few people who have benefited from Grief Share in our community. Two of the things that -- two of their offerings that are particularly important: one is that they do offer seasonal holiday "coping with the holiday" type workshops, which I think is the importance of planning ahead for when you might be missing your loved one or you're facing a loss, whatever that may be. And then the second thing about Grief Share is that they exist with ongoing groups. And I personally know someone who lost their wife and grief share literally saved his life because he's able to connect with this community. Last I heard he was going on a cruise with his Grief Share people. So it just really was a place for him to find connection and hope again. So we highly recommend Grief Share. Kevin And before we close today, we have a little bit of a homework assignment for you all. If you want to create space for a blue Christmas, I want to encourage you to hang a blue ornament on your Christmas tree somewhere. Whether it's front and center, whether it's off to the side, or just in the background that's at the top or towards the bottom, you find wherever the placement feels right. We want this ritual of hanging a blue ornament to symbolize you creating space for sadness this time of year. Kathy Before we close, we want to share a beautiful reflection that ties into the theme of A Blue Christmas. It's Jan Richardson's "Blessing for the Broken-Hearted" poem, which offers a powerful message about the resilience of love and grief. Kevin "A Blessing for the Broken-Hearted: by Jan Richardson. Let us agree for now that we will not say the breaking makes us stronger, or that it is better to have this pain than to have done without this love. Let us promise we will not tell ourselves time will heal the wound when every day our waking opens it anew. Perhaps, for now, it can be enough to simply marvel at the mystery of how a heart so broken can go on beating, as if it were made for precisely this, as if it knows the only cure for love is more of it, as if it sees the heart's sole remedy for breaking is to love still, as if it trusts that its own persistent pulse is the rhythm of a blessing we cannot begin to fathom, but will save us nonetheless. Amen.

Während überall sonst „Jingle Bells“ und „We Wish you a Merry Christmas“ aus den Lautsprechern dröhnt, geben sich King Hannah lieber der melancholischen Seite von Weihnachten hin. Das Duo aus Liverpool covert mit „Blue Christmas“ den wohl traurigsten unter den Weihnachtsklassikern. King Hannah im Popfilter hört ihr hier. >> Artikel zum Nachlesen: https://detektor.fm/musik/popfilter-a-very-indie-christmas-melancholische-weihnachten-mit-king-hannah

On this episode, Pastor Tommy and Pastor Trey talk how you can still enjoy the Christmas season when you're feeling low.

Our fourth annual Christmas episode! The holidays are supposed to be the happiest time of the year, but let's face it – some of us are feeling less holly jolly. In our 4th annual Prisoners of Rock and Roll Christmas episode, we're celebrating having a blue Christmas by talking about the blues.  You don't hear a lot of blues Christmas music on the radio or in the mall these days, but there are some killer versions of Christmas classics as well as some original tunes.  So whether you're on Santa's naughty list or just trying to survive another family gathering, pour yourself some holiday punch, eggnog, or a bourbon, and take a seat down by the fireplace. Let's rock out and feel a little blue for Christmas.  By the way, this is a really festive time of year for a lot of people. Most of us are spending a ton of time with friends and family. Heck, you might be listening to us in the car on your way to a Christmas party right now.  But this time of year can also be overwhelming to a lot of people. Us rock and roll fans need to stick together and take care of ourselves as well as each other. So try to take a few minutes and reach out to a friend or loved one to say hello and see how they're doing. Just reaching out can have a huge impact on someone.  And if you're ever feeling down, help is always just a phone call away. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 800 273 8255. We love you guys. Episode Playlist & Other Stuff Check out our episode playlist here. Get In Touch Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at show@prisonersofrockandroll.com. Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christmas can be a happy time!  But many of us come to this season with heavy hearts.  Maybe you have recently lost a job, or maybe you are missing a loved one, or maybe the news cycle has you down.  If this is the case, we would like you to know that you are not alone.  In our Blue Christmas episode we hold space for everyone who might be feeling a little blue as we approach this Christmas season.   Like what you hear? We'd love your support on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/AndAlsoWithYouPodcast There's all kinds of perks including un-aired live episodes, Zoom retreats, and mailbag episodes for our Patreons! Keep up with us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/andalsowithyoupodcast/   More about Father Lizzie: https://www.instagram.com/rev.lizzie/ https://www.tiktok.com/@rev.lizzie Jubilee Episcopal Church in Austin, TX   More about Mother Laura: https://www.instagram.com/laura.peaches/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mother_peaches St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh, PA   Theme music: "On Our Own Again" by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue). New episodes drop Mondays at 7am EST/6am CST! 

Our fourth annual Christmas episode! The holidays are supposed to be the happiest time of the year, but let's face it – some of us are feeling less holly jolly. In our 4th annual Prisoners of Rock and Roll Christmas episode, we're celebrating having a blue Christmas by talking about the blues.  You don't hear a lot of blues Christmas music on the radio or in the mall these days, but there are some killer versions of Christmas classics as well as some original tunes.  So whether you're on Santa's naughty list or just trying to survive another family gathering, pour yourself some holiday punch, eggnog, or a bourbon, and take a seat down by the fireplace. Let's rock out and feel a little blue for Christmas.  By the way, this is a really festive time of year for a lot of people. Most of us are spending a ton of time with friends and family. Heck, you might be listening to us in the car on your way to a Christmas party right now.  But this time of year can also be overwhelming to a lot of people. Us rock and roll fans need to stick together and take care of ourselves as well as each other. So try to take a few minutes and reach out to a friend or loved one to say hello and see how they're doing. Just reaching out can have a huge impact on someone.  And if you're ever feeling down, help is always just a phone call away. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 800 273 8255. We love you guys. Episode Playlist & Other Stuff Check out our episode playlist here. Get In Touch Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at show@prisonersofrockandroll.com. Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To find out more about our church visit us at cornerstonecheshire.com.If you have any prayer requests, needs, or questions, please contact us at prayer@cornerstonecheshire.com.

Dear Maya, one year, my grandma was staying at a rehabilitation facility around Christmas time and I went to visit her. I lucked out - that very day an Elvis impersonator was singing in the cafeteria for all the residents. Grandma sat in a wheel chair watching Elvis with stars in her eyes. For a moment I saw her pain fade into happiness. It felt like heaven was shining a spotlight on both of my grandparents as they danced and enjoyed the music together. I knew I wouldn't get that moment back. I sat there knowing it was going to be a memory I would keep in my pocket forever. I hope you have many moments like this with your grandparents.

Sofia pustar ut över flytten och konstaterar att det är en konst att rensa. Vi pratar om kaoset bakom kulisserna på bröllopet. Vi önskar alla en Blue Christmas och ger ett bra tips till alla som ska flyga med spädbarn. Är Regina Lunds konst värd 91 miljoner? Och är det bra att gömma julklapparna i diskmaskinen. Och kommer Pernilla hinna till Look-a -like tävlingen? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Having a blue Christmas? Have no fear! Another episode of Christmas Morning is here!!!

The holiday season is often a time of joy, but it can also highlight grief in our lives. To help families who are facing loss, Father Dave welcomes back Anthony DeStefano to discuss his new children's book, “Christmas in Heaven.”

Musician and author Nick Cave tells us that “hope is optimism with a broken heart.” This year, we're learning to approach the hope of advent in that same spirit. Mike Erre, Suzie Lind and Kevin Dixon reflect on the idea of a Blue Christmas and how advent season reminds them how we live in both expectation and lament all year long? But first, it's Erre-oke night at Journey: It turns out Kevin don't like you, (and he likes everyone). TIMESTAMP 01:37 The Big Table: Undressed 03:54 Love Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 08:46 Seth Erre Shoutout 11:00 Prepare the way for the content: Advent talk starts here. - - - - - Have a question or comment for the NOW team? Join the conversation by texting us at +1 615 861 9503. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/journeychurch/support

Connect with God — on Abide, a Christian meditation app that provides a biblically grounded place to experience peace and progress in your relationship with Christ. Use this biblical meditation, narrated by Melissa Disney, to center yourself on the truth in God's word. Is Christmastime a reminder of someone you've lost? Meditate on Philippians 4:6-7. Allow the music & nature sounds, deep breathing, prayer, and scripture help you connect with God in a new way. For a 30 day free trial of our premium ad-free content, your trusted friend for meditation is right here: https://abide.com/peace Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Details Do the people you manage love their jobs? Or do you sense that some are dissatisfied or disengaged? It's no secret that employees who love their jobs work harder and are willing to go the extra mile, which benefits any organization. While the core of great leadership remains unchanged, the landscape of work has … Continued The post Episode 151: Having a Blue Christmas? 3 Ways to Help Employees Love Their Jobs first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Pastor Michelle Noel chats with Host Ber Bolton and Pastor Tonya Marks about the purpose and structure of the Blue Christmas service coming on December 22, 2024. The holidays can feel heavy for so many reasons. This service is an opportunity to remember, reflect, and go out in hope.

Luke 1:26-38 Homily, Blue Christmas Image: Color by Carrie Price

To find out more about our church visit us at cornerstonecheshire.com.If you have any prayer requests, needs, or questions, please contact us at prayer@cornerstonecheshire.com.

Not feeling very festive this holiday? More 'Bah, humbug' than 'Fa-la-la-la-la'? It's OK - and even pretty common - to have a Blue Christmas... and it doesn't necessarily mean there's something wrong with you (at 15:17) --- It's not just consumers who have to beware of cybercriminals during the holiday season... businesses are more at-risk this time of year as well (at 24:18) --- Around Town: The holiday wouldn't be complete without the annual Christmas Cantata at St. Andrew's UMC... a celebration of the true spirit of the season (at 45:17)

Christmas may be the hap-hap-happiest season of all for some, but others need help to beat the holiday blues. In this message we search the Scriptures for practical tips on maintaining and restoring our mental health. The post Blue Christmas first appeared on White Pine Community Church.

Send us a textIs the holiday season truly the "most wonderful time of the year," or does it come with its own set of challenges? Deacon Mike Hayes and Fr. Damian Ference are joined by Terri Yohman, Director of Marriage and Family Ministries to open up the raw and often overlooked emotions of grief and loss that can surface during the holidays. We share our personal stories of navigating holidays marked by the absence of loved ones and how grief can manifest in various forms, from job changes to relationship breakups. Terri brings an essential perspective on the importance of self-compassion and the emotional weight we unknowingly carry, helping us acknowledge that our realities don't always match the holiday ideals.The weight of grief and loneliness can feel heavier during the holiday season, but there's hope and support available. Blue Christmas services offered by local parishes, like St. Mary in Hudson and St. Justin Martyr that are featured in this week's Church Search, provide a comforting space for those facing their first holiday without a loved one. Reflecting on the first Sunday of Advent's Gospel's message, we encourage avoiding distractions and unhealthy coping mechanisms. Moreover, we discuss the struggles college students face with homesickness and the importance of meaningful farewells. Lastly, we highlight how Thanksgiving traditions, from parades to classic films, can foster inclusion, urging listeners to reach out and ensure no one is left to celebrate alone.

Effective community outreach involves a lot more than just getting people in the door of your church. Successful outreach involves building connections where there were none, growing in awareness of needs outside your church walls, and stepping out to meet them. Christmastime is the perfect season to lean into the needs of your community.Listen in to this week's episode to hear:Three things great outreach churches have in commonOne need all of our communities have in commonHow to use elements from a Blue Christmas service to open up ministry opportunities in women's ministry, Sunday School, youth group, and moreGet the Christmas Bundles: https://smallchurchministry.com/christmas/Join our free Facebook Community: www.facebook.com/groups/smallchurchministryRate, Review, & Follow Laurie on Apple Podcasts"I love Laurie and The Small Church Ministry Podcast!!"