Blue Christmas Reading

Leader: God of wisdom, we come to you this Christmas Season tired, in turmoil, and in pain.

In this time of year when the darkness of long solstice nights collides with the brilliance of Christmas lights, we find it hard to experience the joy of this season. We ask your presence to meet all that we carry in our hearts – sorrow we fear may never end, burdens for others, and wounds we cannot even put into words.

All: Lord, hear our prayer, and in Your merciful love, answer.

Leader: God of mercy and compassion, there are those among us who are grieving over what might have been.

Death or loss or terrible hurt has changed our experience of Christmas.

We remember that once it was a special day for us, too, but someone or something precious has gone away from us in this life.

We have lost a loved one, a job, a goal, a cause, a dream. We find ourselves adrift and alone.

We are weary from the journey, and we have found no room at the inn.

We come to you seeking rest, and peace, and shelter from the storm.

All: Lord, hear our prayer, and in Your merciful love, answer.

Leader: God of grace, in the spirit of the season, comfort us as we journey through this Christmas season. We ask that you shelter and sustain all those of us who wander or want or weep or are heavy burdened. Help us trade our heavy burdens for your light yoke, and provide rest for our souls.

All: Lord, hear our prayer, and in Your merciful love, answer.

Leader: God of love, in this Christmas Season we embrace and offer up to you all that used to be which is now lost to us, and cannot be again. Grant us wisdom to know that you— most of all—can be trusted, and that you are with us, especially when we are at our absolute worst.

Please hold us close in your embrace, be near to us this night, until the light returns and morning comes.

All: Lord, hear our prayer, and in Your merciful love, answer.