Advent: Blue Christmas Service
On December 13th, Lyrical Assembly hosted its first-ever Blue Christmas Service at 298 San Bruno Ave in Brisbane, CA—a space that had been vacant for most of the year. The night marked not only the first service and event held there in a long time, but also Lyrical Assembly’s first gathering in the space. What was once empty came alive again—with prayer, music, and the presence of a community seeking hope in the midst of hardship.
As the faith, arts, and activism platform of Lyrical Opposition, Lyrical Assembly started on September 22, 2019, with their first event and service at the Joyce Gordon Gallery in Oakland, California, when it hosted Fight Evil With Poetry with Micah Bournes and Aisea Taimani + Minor Islands. Lyrical Assembly exists to nurture creative, spiritual, and communal renewal at the intersection of justice and faith. The ministry is a part of the 1001 New Worshiping Communities initiative of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), with First Presbyterian Church of Hayward as its sponsoring congregation. It is administered by Lyrical Opposition, a Bay Area nonprofit collective that empowers artists and advocates for creative justice.
The evening was curated and led by Ashley Budelli, who guided the flow of the night with compassion and care. The service invited participants to slow down, to name their pain, and to find light—even if dimly—in the blue shadows of the season.
The agenda for the night unfolded gently, blending ancient rhythms with modern artistry:
Gathering Music
Opening Prayer
Welcome & Introduction to the Blue Service
Call to Worship
Lighting the Christmas Candle
Song
Scripture Reading
Mini Sermonette (shared by Kirk Davis)
Instructions for Communal Prayer Time
Song (played during personal prayer and reflection)
Closing Prayer Time
Passing the Peace
Affirmation of Faith for Christmas (Adapted from Madeleine L’Engle’s First Coming)
Closing Song: Silent Night
Blessing
Music anchored the evening’s reflection. Luna Jenn led us through songs of lament. Fego Navarro curated and DJ’d the playlist, blending soul, hip-hop, and worship to create a soundscape of lament and renewal. Songs like JOHNNYSWIM’s “A Hard Year’s Christmas,” Brandon Lake’s “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” Shaboozey’s “Good News,” and classics like Elvis Presley’s “Blue Christmas” and Frank Sinatra’s “Silent Night” filled the space. Throughout the night, the BOY album by Sondae played between readings and prayers—its tender tones shaping a rhythm of rest and reflection.
Together, the community read the Affirmation of Faith for Christmas, declaring that God does not wait for perfection before showing up in love and presence:
God did not wait till the world was ready, till nations were at peace.
God came when the need was deep and great.
To share our grief, to touch our pain, God came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!
The Blue Christmas Service was more than an event; it was a beginning—a gathering for those who carry grief and for those who choose hope anyway.
For anyone who has ever felt less than merry, this night was for you.
Even in the bluest moments, Love still comes—and love makes a home again.
