Wayne County author offers comfort for those facing 'Blue Christmas'

The holiday season is generally considered a time of good cheer, festive parties and joyful gift-giving. But sometimes hardships pose a threat to these expectations. Illness, divorce, financial struggles and natural disasters can happen at any time of year. How do we live in the spirit of Christmas and other celebratory holidays when things feel bleak?

Sherah-Leigh Gerber has written a book that she considers a gentle companion for a season that may not always feel like the most wonderful time of the year. "Unhappy Holidays: Blessings for a Blue Christmas" was published in October by Herald Press, a Christian publisher of books on reconciliation, community, discipleship, mission, spirituality, theology and Amish and Mennonite life and faith.

In her book, Gerber offers readers ways of noticing how God shows up in daily life amid heartache, grief and loss. With reflections and blessings drawn from familiar biblical texts of Advent, the book invites readers to recover a sense of hope as they prepare to celebrate the holidays. The author has included resources for small groups and for use in worship settings as well as at home. Gerber’s own experiences with grief during the holiday season inspired her to write the book.

“Nearly six years ago, my mother-in-law was diagnosed with ALS,” Gerber said. “Navigating our last holiday season together while parenting two young children raised questions that this book seeks to address.”

Gerber also co-authored a book with Gwen Lantz entitled "Comfort and Joy: Readings and Practices for Advent," published last year. The two authors are under contract for another book, which focuses on prompts and practices for living with the seasons.

A graduate of Eastern Mennonite Seminary, Gerber is a spiritual director and ordained minister in Mennonite Church USA. In addition to working in other nonprofit leadership roles, she has served as a pastor. She lives with her husband and two teenage children in Wayne County.

“As a spiritual director, I am always looking to provide resources for spiritual formation,” Gerber said. “I am passionate about normalizing the realities that many experience while offering hope and blessing.”

"Unhappy Holidays: Blessings for a Blue Christmas" may be purchased at Midnight Readers Shop in Apple Creek and LincWay Cafe & Market in Dalton. It also is available through Herald Press as well as several online book retailers, including Amazon, Bookshop, Barnes & Noble and Walmart.

Gerber’s website is shergerber.com, and she may be contacted at soulcaresher@gmail.com.