Blue Christmas & Longest Night of the Year Resources
The holiday season can be a challenging time for those carrying grief. The weight of loss and sadness, can make the season especially difficult. To address this reality, many churches and ministries have started holding a "Blue Christmas" or "Longest Night" service—creating a safe, gentle space for those who may need to acknowledge their grief and find peace amidst the season’s celebrations.
If you’re planning a Blue Christmas or Longest Night service, or if you’d like to offer some extra support to those who may be struggling, here are some resources that can help you create a meaningful experience.
A Sanctified Art – Blue Christmas Resources
A Sanctified Art provides beautiful, sensitive resources designed specifically for Blue Christmas services. Their artwork, liturgies, and reflections offer a straightforward and artistically beautiful way to create a space where grief and hope can sit side-by-side. Their downloadable materials include liturgies, activities, reflections and visual pieces created by ministry leaders for ministry leaders.
Close to Home Longest Night Liturgy
Known also as “Blue Christmas,” a Longest Night Gathering is a safe and sacred space to mourn the losses and griefs of the year, to let the tears flow for the hurting places in our own lives, as well as for our country and our world. This full order of worship is designed for congregational worship (in-person and/or virtually), but it can also be used by individuals in the comfort of their own home using the suggested adaptations.
Let There Be—Longest Night Worship Liturgy (w/ Visual Art & Poetry)
This liturgical resource is for hosting a "Longest Night" service (alternatively titled, "Blue Christmas" or "Service of Light") on or around the winter solstice (December 21st in the Northern Hemisphere) designed to honor those grappling with loss and grief. Our hope is that this worship service will create a safe and sacred space for those who are struggling to feel the joy and light of this holiday season due to loss of any kind. We do not intend for this service to be a service of healing, for what we lose cannot always be replaced. Instead, we hope this service will acknowledge the hole that grief leaves in one’s heart while simultaneously remembering that we worship a God who is with us, even in the darkest of times.
Find various options here: A Sanctified Art – Blue Christmas Resources.
Pre-Written Service Outlines
The Pastors Workshop
Scripture includes: Isaiah 11:1-5, Psalm 86:1, Psalm 22:1-2, Psalm 28:7, Psalm 65:5
Service Includes: Opening prayer, Candle Lighting, Song suggestions, A time of guided prayer, congregational reading, a blessing.
Church Support Hub (from the Church of England)
Scripture Includes: Isaiah 9: 2- 7, Luke 2:1-5
Service Includes: Welcome, Hymn and Carol suggestions, Readings, Reflection and Prayers
Discipleship Ministries (The United Methodist Church)
Scripture Includes: Ecclesiastes 3:1-11, Psalm 22, Psalm 23, Isaiah 40, Luke 2:1-7
Service Includes: Call to Worship, Hymns, Musical Interlude suggestions, Memory activity, Congregational call and response, Prayer
Presbyterian Church in Canada
Includes scripture suggestions: Psalm 121, Isaiah 40:1–8, Selected verses in Matthew 1 – 2, Luke 1 – 2, John 1
Service Includes: Call to worship, Candle readings, Prayers of the People, Benediction and Hymn suggestions
Sacraparental: Social Justice and spirituality for parents and kids
Scripture Includes: John 1:1-5, Psalm 23
Service Includes: Welcome, prayer, Candle Lighting, Visual elements, music suggestions, prayer, communion
Young Clergy Women International
Scripture Includes: Isaiah 40:1, 25-31, Psalm 121 (responsive), Matthew 11:28-30,
Service Includes: Hymns, Call and Response, Candle Lighting, Prayers of the People,
Love Does That Blue Christmas Planning Guide
This planning guide accompanies the blog post “Offering s Blue Christmas Service to Honor the Loss and Cling to the Hope” that lays out how to think about and plan a thoughtful Blue Christmas service. The guide provides a list of additional activities you might want to include for your congregation. Things that allow your members to more fully engage with the service and reflect on their grief and healing. It will also help you think through some other things you’ll need to consider as you plan.
Access it Here
*you’ll need to subscribe to download the guide (but you can always unsubscribe afterwards)
Small Church Ministry Blue Christmas Service Pack
Includes PDFs & Canva Templates
+ a recorded workshop with more best tips
Introduction to the Blue Christmas Service Pack w/ FAQs
Preparation & Set-Up Checklist
Blue Christmas Service Order Template
Blue Christmas Service Script with Full Readings
Printable Blue Christmas Service Bulletin Template
Customizable Social Media Promotion Graphics
Social Media Promotion Swipe Copy
Printable Postcard Invitation
Creative Bulletin Announcements
Suggested Song and Video links
Decor Ideas with Images
Printable Scripture Cards of Hope
Recorded workshop with actionable steps and extra tips for success.
PLUS A Small Church Christmas Conference Replays