The First Blue Christmas Service

The first Blue Christmas service was celebrated tonight, and it offered an intimate experience for all who came out on the frigid evening.

From the service:

A Liturgy of Remembering

This first candle we light to remember those whom we have loved and lost. We pause to remember their names, their faces, their voices, the memories that bind them to us in this season. (Pause while the first candle is lit)

May God's eternal love surround them.

This second candle we light is to redeem the pain of loss; the loss of relationships, the loss of jobs, the loss of health. (Pause while the second candle is lit.) We pause to gather up the pain of the past and offer it to God, asking that from God's hands we receive the gift of peace.

Refresh, restore, renew us O God, and lead us into your future.

This third candle we light is to remember ourselves this Christmas time. We pause and remember these past weeks and month; the disbelief, the anger, the down times, the poignancy of reminiscing, the hugs and handshakes of family and friends, all those who stood with us. (Pause while the third candle is lit.) We give thanks for all the support we have known.

Let us remember that dawn defeats darkness.

This fourth candle is lit to remember out faith and the gift of hope which the Christmas story offers to us. (Pause while the fourth candle is lit.) We remember that God who shares our life promises us a place and time of no more pain and suffering.

Let us remember the One who shows the way, who brings the truth and who bears the light.