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, 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. 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.)