The Longest Night Service

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Blue Christmas Service

Seasons of the Spirit

ISBN: PA17

The Blue Christmas service is a way to acknowledge the sadness some feel due to loss during a season in which the emphasis is on celebration, joy and gathering with family and friends. Typically this service is held on the eve of the Winter Equinox, or, in North America, the longest night of the year. Churches are encouraged to open their doors to invite specifically those from their local community who might be seeking comfort and solace on this dark night.

References songs from Songs for a Gospel People which can be replaced by other musical choices.

Preparation: mimimal

Cast/Characters: 5 adults

Scenes: 1 (4pp)

Main Props: Candles

Seasons of the Spirit , Publisher

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Blue Christmas
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The Longest Night Service


The Blue Christmas service is a way to acknowledge the sadness some feel due to loss during a season in which the emphasis is on celebration, joy and gathering with family and friends. Typically this service is held on the eve of the Winter Equinox, or, in NA, the longest night of the year. Churches are encouraged to open their doors to invite specifically those from their local community who might be seeking comfort and solace on this dark night.


Referenced songs from Songs for a Gospel People can be downloaded as sheet music or mp3 files from www.seasonsonline.ca.

Preparation: minimal

Cast/Characters: 5 adults

Scenes: 1 (5pp)

Main Props: Candles

Suggested Readings (choose four or five)

  1. Reading: Matthew 22:1-10 or Luke 14:15-24 (The Wedding Feast, in which all the outsiders were gathered in)

Comment: This story offers hope for those who have no one to invite them. It reminds us that in God’s divine order, no one is excluded; all are invited.

Invitation to light candle: Would one of you, perhaps someone who finds this reading relevant to your own situation, come forward to light a candle?

Prayer after lighting candle: Lord our God, may your fellowship be available to all, including those who feel excluded. Amen.

  1. Reading: Luke 2:1-7 (Bethlehem, where there was no room for them in the inn.)

Comment: Jesus himself was no stranger to being a stranger, an outsider, a refugee.

Invitation to light candle

Prayer after lighting candle: Lord Jesus, let those who are far from home, those who are strangers, feel that they genuinely belong in your company. Amen.

  1. Reading: 1 Kings 19:1-3a, 8-15a (Elijah flees for his life, alone, to the mountain.)

Comment: Sometimes it is only in isolation that we can hear the still small voice through which God speaks to us.

Invitation to light candle

Prayer after lighting candle: Spirit of God, calm the turmoil is our souls so that we can hear your still small voice. Amen.

  1. Reading: Luke 6:17-23 (The Beatitudes: Blessed are those who weep, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst, etc.)

Comment: This familiar passage reveals that Jesus was well aware of people’s sorrows, yearnings, and suffering—and offered a promise of something different.

Invitation to light candle

Prayer after lighting candle: Lord Jesus, like this candle, bring some warmth and light to those who mourn, who hunger and thirst, and who weep.