Thursday, December 19th at 7:00 pm
The Longest Night
On a scale of 1-10, how socially extroverted are you? Do you reach out your hand to strangers and introduce yourself without hesitation? Or do you avoid eye contact and keep to yourself? When you go to the store, do you feel confident in saying hello to the cashier, asking how his or her day is going? Or do you pray that you won’t run into anyone you know, forcing you to make small talk? If you would score yourself on the introverted end of the scale, know that you are not alone. There are a lot of people who find being social takes a lot of energy and effort.
The world needs introverted people. Introverts are reflective and creative. They think a lot before they speak or act (sometimes they overthink). They have rich inner lives and notice details that more extroverted types often overlook. They are also very sensitive, caring people who are good listeners and thoughtful friends. And while introverted people can be very resilient, they can also tend toward isolation. While extroverts thrive in social situations (including church events), introverts can struggle. For those who find loud environments difficult or who shy away from small talk, the holidays can bring a sense of dread. There is an unwritten expectation that the events that lead up to Christmas should be met with cheerfulness and enthusiastic sociability, but for some that is a hard expectation to meet.
But that doesn’t mean that introverted people don’t appreciate Christmas. The beauty of the lights, the pensive, melodic hymns, the warmth of close fellowship, and the birthing hope on the darkest night of year can be a very meaningful experience to even the most reserved person. Some people just prefer to celebrate in ways that are quieter and slower and more reflective. These are the people who respond very well to the Longest Night service.
The Longest Night is a Christmas worship service that is held on or near the longest night of the year. It is typically promoted as a Christmas service for those who are grieving a loss or for whom Christmas is a difficult holiday, whatever the reason. But it is so much more than that. It is a service that dwells in the depth of the Christmas event. Instead of rousing celebratory carols, it is made up of quiet hymns. Honest confession of fatigue or uncertainty is met with genuine acceptance and the promise of returning light. Imagine the depth of silence of a starlit winter night—that is the feeling of the Longest Night service. Not sorrowful, but serene.
So, invite your introverted friends to come to St. Andrew’s annual Longest Night service where they can be themselves and relax. Or, invite your extroverted friends who may be yearning for a slower pace. I look forward to a night of quiet reflection on the meaning of the coming Christ and the love of God Emmanuel.
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Jen
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