Friends,

On this longest of nights we remember all those who are struggling this holiday season. We remember those we have lost, and those who hurt by failures of our humanity.

Blue Christmas/Longest Night

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Remember those who have given you faith, and give thanks. People: We will prepare the way of Christ; leveling the hills and valleys of life.
​Leader: Hold one another in your hearts this day; praying love may overcome our burdens.
​People: We will weep with those who weep. We will rejoice with those who rejoice.
​All: We share with each other and with God.

HYMN O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Alternative Words Below

READING: Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

Leader: We light these candles in remembrance of those we have loved and lost. We remember their faces, their voices, their bodies. We give thanks for the memories that bind them to us.
​People: We remember them with love. We trust God’s love surrounds them.
​Leader: God of wisdom, we come to you this Christmas Season tired, in turmoil, and in pain. We ask your healing.
Lord, hear our prayer,
​People: And in Your merciful love, answer.

Each person lights a candle for one or more loved ones.

HYMN Comfort, Comfort Now My People

READING: Isaiah 40

Leader: We light these candles 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.
​People: We hold our pain, O God, and offer it to you. Give us peace in our hearts.
​Leader: God of compassion, we grieve what might have been. We suffer from lost jobs, lost friendships, impossible goals, lost causes, failed dreams. We feel alone. Lord, hear our prayer.
​People: And in Your merciful love, answer.

Each person lights a candle for one or more losses they have faced.

HYMN In the Bleak Midwinter

READING Psalm 22

Leader: We light these candles to remember faith and trust during times of abandonment, insecurity, and fear.
​People: We remember the One who journeys with us, holding us, into all our tomorrows.
​Leader: God of love, we offer you all our fears. Embrace us until the light returns, and morning comes. Lord, hear our prayer,
​People: And in Your merciful love, answer.

Each person present lights a candle remembering a time of fear.

READING: Matthew 11:28-30

Leader: We light this candle to remember the burdens we carry, the anger and pain we cannot let go, the hurts we have caused to others and to ourselves. ​
​People: We remember that you have offered to hold our burdens for us.
​Leader: God of grace, sustain us, and all who wander or weep or are heavy laden. Lord, hear our prayer.
​People: And in Your merciful love, answer.

Each person lights one or more candles to lay down the burdens they carry.

CLOSING HYMN

A Carol for the Longest Night To the tune of Silent Night By Catherine Smith © 2018, hemofthelight.com

Silent night, Holy night, here we long for your Light.
Here your Presence is achingly near
Here your Love gently touches our fear.
May we welcome you now. May we welcome you now.

Silent Night, Holy Night, here we long for your Light.
May our shadows be softened with grace.
May our grief be transformed by your face.
Here you offer us Love. Here you offer us Love

Silent Night, Holy Night, here we long for your Light
Draw us now in this moment to You
In our grief and our loss make us new
Birth your life in our heart, Birth your life in our heart

BLESSING Sending out into the night.

Wishing you peace and relief on this longest of nights. ​
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Alternative words for O Come, O Come Emmanuel.

Gifts In Open Hands

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Christmas in Paradise by Mary Gauthier

Christmas in Paradise

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