Blue Christmas Service Prayers 2025

Invitation
Come. 
God has drawn you here this day, 
so again, I say, come. 

Rest here. 
Put down all that you have carried. 
You have done well
but it is time to rest. 

You may be lonely,
but look around.
You are not alone
in your grief, your fears,
your bone-deep weariness.

On earth, you are loved.
In God, you are known.

Call to Worship

One: We do not know God’s plan for us.
We stumble and fall, careening out of control
as we wrestle the pain, inside of us, and out. 

Many: Stay alert! 
We do not know the hour
when God will bring relief
to those crying out for mercy.

One: We hide ourselves away,
not wanting to burden others
with the complexities of our pain.

Many: Stay alert! 
We do not know the hour
when God will relieve us 
of the grief we carry.

One: We chastise ourselves 
for being weak and broken
when we are cowering in fear.

Many: Stay alert! 
We do not know the hour
when God will heal us
and venerate our bravery.

One: We stand here,
exhausted and sick of prayer
when the answers do not come.

Many: Stay alert! 
We do not know the hour
when God will whisper faith 
directly into our ears,
when joy will spill from our lips
like pearls slipping a string.

One: We have been waiting.
It feels like our time 
will never come.

Many: Stay alert! 
God comes to us 
both as an infant in a barn
and as a man suffering on the cross.
God knows our pain and loves us
no matter what.

Invocation
Emmanuel, we come to you when there is nowhere else to go. We crawl on our knees across the glass of grief, of loss, of anger, and abandonment. We drown in the suffering of our siblings halfway around the world and in our own homes, begging you for justice and mercy. Hear us, Beloved One! Hear our small sorrows and deep torments and to them, speak peace.

Lighting the Candles of Remembrance
During Advent, we light the candles of Hope, Joy, Love and Peace. This evening, we light the candles on our altar in remembrance, as well as in support of our particular struggles, whatever they may be. No matter the size or substance of our prayers, God is here. 

Let the Holy Spirit move through this congregation with compassionate grace as we call out the names of those we are grieving. I/we will light a candle for each one. You may also silently raise a hand to signal you would like a candle to be lit on your behalf for the many prayers of your heart.

Prayer for Relief
Oh, holy Redeemer, 
we know that suffering 
is a part of the human condition,
but too often, we must bear it alone.

We pray, this night, 
that you guide us to kindred spirits,
to our siblings who understand without prying,
who comfort generously, 
who hold us up when the weight 
is too much to bear alone.

We ask that you be with us
when the grief overwhelms 
and we cry in traffic;
when the anger surges
and we take it out on those we love;
when the pain is unrelenting 
and there is no cure.

Be with us, God, calm and steady.
Be with us, patient and kind.
Be with us, just and forgiving.
Do not leave us alone.
Amen

Benediction
We do not go out into the night alone. 
Our souls are bound together 
by the grace of the Beloved, 
in whom all may find rest. 

Remember, you are always welcome here. 
Come. 
Rest. 
Be loved.
Amen

Service Prayers for Blue Christmas Worship 2025 were written by Maria Mankin.