Longest Night Service

A Longest Night Service or Service of the Longest Night, sometimes also known as a Blue Christmas Service or Service of Light,[1] held on or around the eve of the winter solstice (around December 21) in the Northern Hemisphere, is a modern Christian religious service designed to temper the struggle with darkness and grief faced by those living with loss. Loss may include the death of a loved one, divorce or separation, separation due to military service, the loss of a job, or living with serious illness.[2][3][4] The service may coincide with the traditional feast day for Saint Thomas the Apostle. (That celebration is now observed on July 3 in the Roman Catholic church.[5])

References

  1. ↑ "Blue Christmas Services Are A Comfort For Many". United Church News: Massachusetts Conference Edition. December 2001. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  2. ↑ "Blue Christmas/Longest Night Worship With Those Who Mourn". Descipleship Ministries. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  3. ↑ "Longest Night". Ministry Matters. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  4. ↑ "The Longest Night Service". Whole People of God. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  5. ↑ Calendarium Romanum (Libreria Editrice Vatricana) 1969, p. 96
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