Blue Christmas: A Service of Hope and Healing

Blue Christmas: A Service of Hope & Healing

The holidays can be hard. It's difficult to feel merry or joyful when it seems as though every moment is just a painful reminder of loss. Whether you're grieving the loss of a loved one, going through divorce or separation, living with physical or mental illness, or facing an uncertain future, putting on a happy face is the last thing you feel like doing.

Here at Little River United Methodist Church, we believe that no one should have to walk through their seasons of darkness alone, which is why we offer a Blue Christmas service of worship on the longest night of the year (usually December 21st, but not always). However, we also know that it's not always possible to attend a service in person, so we wanted to make our worship liturgy available for anyone to use. 

We hope that this resource may help you experience the hope and comfort that we have through Christ. If you need any additional support, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

[This service is still a work in progress.]

Prelude: "In the Bleak Midwinter" by David Archuleta

Words by Christina Rossetti (1830-1894)

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone  
Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain  
Heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign  
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, on snow  
In the bleak midwinter, long ago  
Angels and archangels may have gathered there  
Cherubim and Seraphim thronged the air  
But only his mother, in her maiden bliss  
Worshiped the beloved with a kiss  
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed  
the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ  

Call to Worship

Leader:
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; on those who live in a land of deep shadow, a light has shone. For the yoke that was weighing upon them, and the burden upon their shoulders, you have broken in pieces, O God, our Redeemer. Let us pray.

People:
God of mercy, hear our prayer in this Advent season for ourselves and for our families who live with painful thoughts and memories. We ask for strength for today, courage for tomorrow and peace for the past. We ask these things in the name of your Christ, who shares our life in sorrow and joy, death and new birth, despair and promise. Amen.  

The Liturgy of the Word

Lamentations 3:17-26 (New International Version)

I have been deprived of peace;
      I have forgotten what prosperity is.  
So I say, “My splendor is gone
      and all that I had hoped from the Lord.”  
I remember my affliction and my wandering,
      the bitterness and the gall.  
I well remember them,
      and my soul is downcast within me.  
Yet this I call to mind
      and therefore I have hope:  
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
      for his compassions never fail.  
They are new every morning;
      great is your faithfulness.  
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
      therefore I will wait for him.”  
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
      to the one who seeks him;  
it is good to wait quietly
      for the salvation of the Lord.  

A Liturgy of Remembrance

Lighting of Four Advent Candles

First Candle:

Leader:
We light this first candle to remember those whom we have loved and lost. We pause to remember clearly: their faces, their voices, their bodies. We embrace and give thanks for the memories that bind them to us in this season of expectation, when all Creation waits for the Light.  

All:
We remember them with love. May God's eternal love surround them.   

Second Candle:

Leader:
We light this second candle to remember the pain of loss: loss of relationships, loss of trust, loss of jobs, loss of health, loss of faith, the loss of joy. We acknowledge and embrace the pain of the past, O God, and we offer it to you, asking that you place the gift of peace, shalom, into our wounded hearts and open hands.

All:
We remember that through you all things are possible. Refresh, restore, renew us, O God, and lead us into your future.

Third Candle:

Leader:
We light this third candle to remember ourselves this Christmas season. We pause to remember the past weeks, months, and for some of us years, that have been heavy with our burdens. We accept and lay before you, God, the sharpness of memory, the sadness and grief, the hurt and fear, the anger and pain. We accept and lay before you the ways we feel we have fallen short, and the times we have spent blaming ourselves, and you, for all that we have suffered.

All:
We remember that though we have journeyed far, and may have turned away from the light, the light itself has not failed.

Fourth Candle:

Leader:
We light this fourth candle to remember faith, the gift of light and hope that God offers to us in the narrative of Christmas, which began in humbleness, in a poor stable. We remember that the loving God who came to share this life with us also promises us comfort and peace.

All:
We remember the One who shares our burdens, who shows us the way to the Light, and who journeys with us into all our tomorrows.

The Liturgy of the Word

Isaiah 40:1, 25-31 (New Revised Standard Version)

Comfort, O comfort my people,
      says your God….  
To whom then will you compare me,
      or who is my equal? says the Holy One.  
Lift up your eyes on high and see:
      Who created these?
      He who brings out their host and numbers them,
      calling them all by name;
      because he is great in strength,
      mighty in power,
      not one is missing.  
Why do you say, O Jacob,
      and speak, O Israel,
       ‘My way is hidden from the Lord,
      and my right is disregarded by my God’?  
Have you not known? Have you not heard?  
The Lord is the everlasting God,
      the Creator of the ends of the earth.  
He does not faint or grow weary;
      his understanding is unsearchable.  
He gives power to the faint, 
     and strengthens the powerless.  
Even youths will faint and be weary,
      and the young will fall exhausted; 
     but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
      they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
      they shall run and not be weary,
      they shall walk and not faint.  

Song of Reflection: "O Little Town of Bethlehem" by Jewel

O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight  
For Christ is born of Mary and gathered all above  
While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wandering love  
O morning stars together proclaim the holy birth  
And praises sing to God the king and peace to men on earth  
O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray  
Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today  
We hear the Christmas angels, the great glad tidings tell  
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel  
And peace to men on earth  

Prayers of the People

Leader:
God of wisdom, we come to you this Christmas season tired, in turmoil, and in pain. As the nights have grown longer, so has darkness grown and wrapped itself around our hearts. In this season of longest night, we ask your healing blessings upon all that we carry in our hearts--sorrow we fear may never end, wounds we cannot even put into words. Lord, hear our prayer.  

People:
And in your merciful love, answer.  

Leader:
God of mercy and compassion, there are those among us who are grieving over what might have been. Death or loss or terrible hurt has changed our experience of Christmas. We remember that once it was a special day for us, too, but someone or something precious has gone away from us in this life. We find ourselves adrift and alone. We are weary from the journey, and we have found no room at the inn. We come to you seeking rest, and peace, and shelter from the storm. Lord, hear our prayer.  

People:
And in your merciful love, answer.  

Leader:
God of grace, in the spirit of the season, grant us all that we need to comfort us as we journey through this Christmas season. We ask that you shelter and sustain all those of us, both here and throughout the world, who wander or want or weep or are heavy laden, that we may be lifted up in courage and journey on in Thy peace. Lord, hear our prayer.  

People:
And in your merciful love, answer.  

Leader:
God of love, in this Christmas season we embrace and offer up to you all that used to be which is now lost to us, and cannot be again. With celebration all around us, memories of what was, and fears of what may be, weigh heavy on our hearts. Please hold us close in your embrace, be near to us this night, until the light returns and morning comes. Lord, hear our prayer.  

People:
And in your merciful love, answer.  

Leader:
God of great compassion and love, listen to the prayers of these your people. Grant to all, especially the bereaved and troubled ones this Christmas, the blessing we ask in the name of Jesus, who taught us to pray:  

People:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.  

Lighting of Individual Candles

Leader:
Each of us comes bearing our own hurts, sorrows, broken places. I invite each of you to offer your personal wound to the God who loves each of us deeply and wants to carry our pain. God waits patiently, gently calling out: “Give me your pain, come to me… all who labor and are heavy laden, I will refresh you!”   

During this time, you are invited light a candle. As you light the candle, remember that it is God who lights a candle in our darkness and holds us close until we are able to shine.  

Song of Reflection: "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" by Selah

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel  
That mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear   
Rejoice, Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!  

O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer thy people with thine advent here;  
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death's dark shadows put to flight  
Rejoice, Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!  

O come, Thou rod of Jesse, free thine own from Satan's tyranny  
From depths of hell thy people save and give them victory o'er the grave  
Rejoice, Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!  
Rejoice, Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!  

Song of Reflection: "O Holy Night" by Lea Michele

O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining  
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth  
Long lay the world, in sin and error pining  
'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth  
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices  
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn  

Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices  
O night divine, O night when Christ was born  
O night divine  
O night, O night divine  

Truly He taught us to love one another;  
His law is love and His gospel is peace  
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother  
And in His name all oppression shall cease  
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we  
Let all within us praise His holy name  

Fall on your knees and hear the angel voices  
O night divine, O night when Christ was born  
O night divine  
O night, O night divine  

O night divine  

Leader:
Almighty God, we thank you for your constant love and for the blessings of this day. We know that even when we cannot see or feel you, still you are there. Help us to remember you and to listen for your voice in the words of family, friends, and strangers.  

Kindle our hearts and awaken hope, that we may know you as you reveal yourself in the world and in our lives. Let the light of your holy Spirit shine like these candles in the darkness, lighting the way for all who feel despairing, lost, or forgotten, and grant that it may come to dwell so deeply in our hearts that when we leave this place it may shine on, for us and for those we meet along the way.      

Let us pray:

People:
Gentle God of love, help us reach out together for the light of faith, for renewal and recovery and a new day coming. Grant that hope may come to rest in our hearts, and let it go forth with us into the darkness, this night and in the nights to come, until we see the dawn.

Leader:
Go forth in peace. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And all God's people said:

People:
Amen.

Resources:
Blue Christmas Service: When Christmas Hurts
Blue Christmas: A Service of Reflection for the Longest Night