Christmas Eve is December 24, and is frequently celebrated in an evening service. It often includes “lessons and carols” and sometimes a story that conveys the spirit of Christmas. Some Unitarian Universalist congregations include a candle-lighting ritual in the service, in which the church lights are dimmed and people pass a flame from candle to candle until everyone is holding a lit candle.
Unlike many Christian faiths, Unitarian Universalists rarely hold special services on Christmas Day, December 25.
Faith Without Borders
For everything there is a season—a time to die and a time to be born. With the arrival of winter’s low dark sky, communities around the world look to the miracle of light as a sign of rebirth and a source of hope. We celebrate the promise of new life and recommit ourselves to the protection of everyone’s right to his or her own radiant humanity.
Celebrating the winter holidays, thus, is an excellent opportunity for Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations to express their commitment to our Sixth Principle: We covenant to affirm and promote the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all. See Sixth Principle Resources for winter holidays.
From Tapestry of Faith Curricula
Unitarian Universalist Perspectives
- In “Ghosts of Unitarian Christmas” Doug Muder updates Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. Instead of visiting Ebenezer Scrooge, the three ghosts of Christmases past, present, and future visit Ben, a crotchety UU.
- Other UU World Articles on Christmas
Toggle to filter resultsAvailable filters:
Changing a filter will refresh results (and remaining options) immediately. Searching by keyword or changing the number of items per page requires use of the "Search" button.
Displaying 1 - 50 of 128
-
Fear not, the angels would text me. Hallelujah, I’d write back.Reflection | By Marcus Liefert | December 20, 2023 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: Advent, Awe, Children, Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Direct Experience, Family, Hope, Parents, Wonder, Worship -
We pause on this night of mystery, to tell the stories, to sing the songs, and to bring more light into the world.Chalice Lighting | By Linda Hart | December 13, 2023 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Christmas Eve / Christmas, Mystery, Peace, Personal Stories, Winter, Winter Solstice / Yule, WorshipWeb, Worship -
Pause here, and be renewed and restored.Opening | By Linda Hart | December 13, 2023 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Advent, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Journey, Self-Care, WorshipWeb, Worship -
We light this chalice, here in the darkness of winter as we wait.Chalice Lighting | By JeKaren Olaoya | December 13, 2023 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Advent, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Earth, Earth-Centered, Nature, Winter, Winter Solstice / Yule, WorshipWeb, Worship -
Let us bless these candles with our tender hopes for the coming year.Ritual | By SarahRuth Davis | May 10, 2023 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Christmas Eve / Christmas, Presence, Spirituality, WorshipWeb, Worship
-
December seventh, "Eight Candles" (1970). Malvina Reynolds was a 20th century Jewish, Unitarian Universalist, socialist, songwriter, and performer who is best known for her song “Little Boxes.” In 1970 she recorded the Hanukkah Song “Eight Candles.” It has since become a holiday favorite.Image | By Ralph Yeager Roberts | December 11, 2022 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Advent, America, Christmas Eve / Christmas, History, Winter, Winter Solstice / Yule -
It’s as if something was born from nothing.Reading | By Anya Sammler-Michael | March 1, 2022 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas
-
Grief is welcome, a sacred part of the mourning.Reading | By Kari Kopnick | March 1, 2022 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Advent, Balance, Challenge, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Compassion, Despair, Empathy, Grief, Winter Solstice / Yule, WorshipWeb, Worship -
The story tells of a woman heavy with child, traveling with her partner to be counted in a census declared by a distant ruler unaware of the lives disrupted or the life that is to come....Meditation | By Mary Gear | January 20, 2022 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, WorshipWeb, Worship
-
May we continue to find ways to connect while keeping safe this holiday season.Reflection | By Laura Shay | December 22, 2021 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: Advent, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Community, Worship -
Each Advent, my empathy for Mary’s situation returns.Reflection | By Taryn Strauss | December 8, 2021 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: Advent, Children, Choice, Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Discernment, Women, Worship -
The stories remind us there is still and always joy in this world, but it usually comes right alongside the struggle.Reflection | By Elea Kemler | December 16, 2020 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: Advent, Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Direct Experience, Hope, Joy, Searching, Worship -
This is a "love saves" story.Reflection | By Paul S Sawyer | December 9, 2020 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Advent, Anger, Children, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Compassion, Direct Experience, Humanism, Living Our Faith, Love, Psychology, Relationships, Respect, Responsibility, Self-Respect, Worship -
Make sure, both at Christmastime and in other times, that you ask for that which you really want.Homily | By Megan Foley | December 1, 2020 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Abundance, Advent, Belief, Children, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Direct Experience, Discernment, Generosity, Humanism, Listening, Meaning, Secular, WorshipWeb, Worship -
Minister: At this time, we would like to introduce a special ritual. The holidays can be an especially poignant time of year. Alongside the joy in these present moments, we may recall fond memories of past celebrations with our loved ones....Ritual | By Shari Woodbury | May 5, 2020 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Advent, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Connections, Direct Experience, Family, Grief, Spiritual Practice -
[Written for two voices, here set for Worship Association (WA) and Minister (M)] WA: Perhaps some here have outgrown mystery. Maybe you have doubts about Santa, Or have forgotten the magic of a newborn child. M: One might easily lose touch with awe, In the struggle to do it all, Or simply to...Opening | By Shari Woodbury | January 8, 2020 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Advent, Awe, Children, Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Mystery, Tradition, Unitarian Universalism, Winter Solstice / Yule, Wonder -
Every year, I tell the congregation not to worry about mistakes because there aren’t any; there is only us, telling an old story about love getting born into this aching world.Reflection | By Elea Kemler | December 18, 2019 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: Advent, Brokenness, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Community, Direct Experience, Forgiveness, Love, Playfulness, Tradition, Transcendence, Unitarian Universalism -
With a single generous gesture from my older child, her sister's belief in Santa stayed intact that year.Reflection | By Karen G. Johnston | December 4, 2019 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: Christmas Eve / Christmas, Direct Experience, Family, Generations, Generosity, Parents, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Tradition -
This pageant was written by Rev. Tim Kutzmark and shaped over eighteen years by DREs, staff, and congregants at The Unitarian Universalist Church of Glen Allen, VA; The Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading, MA; and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno, CA....Script | By Tim Kutzmark | November 23, 2019 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Christmas Eve / Christmas -
Spirit of Life On this night, may we bear witness to the guiding lights: the lights in the sky That call us to gather, and to give of ourselves To celebrate new life....Prayer | By Carter Smith | February 7, 2019 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Birth, Caring, Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Community, Faith, Happiness, Hope, Love, Presence, Relationships, Transcendence -
[for 2-3 voices, alternating] On this eve of mystery and magic, let us enter into the Christmas story as if we were there on the holy night. What part will we play this year? Are you the mother, trusting your body to know what to do when the time of birth comes?...Opening | By Shari Woodbury | January 21, 2019 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Awe, Birth, Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Compassion, Dignity, Faith, Family, Hope, Hospitality, Journey, Love
-
Spirit of Life that goes by so many names… Spirit of Love that has taken so many shapes on our earth over the millennia of human habitation here… we open our hearts to make room for you. With the innocence and imagination of a child, help us to hear the beauty and the magic in the Christmas...Prayer | By Shari Woodbury | January 21, 2019 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Beginnings, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Community, Contemplation, Courage, Empathy, Faith, Healing, Hope, Humility, Love -
Everything is about to change. And it already has. It will be. It was. It is. The dawn you eagerly await to end the long, cold darkness is already full sun far off in the east. Yet even after light’s return spring is months away. Thirty long years pass after His birth before the Messiah comes.Reading | By Mandie McGlynn | January 7, 2019 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Advent, Beginnings, Change, Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Contemplation, Ending, Faith, Growth, Hope, Journey, Justice, Life Transition, Paganism, Patience, Winter Solstice / Yule, WorshipWeb -
The innkeeper isn’t part of most Nativity sets. No one sings carols about innkeepers. There don’t seem to be any paintings that include them. But we can imagine the scene: Bethlehem is crowded with people coming home for the census. It’s late at night when the innkeeper responds to a knock on...Reading | By Anne Dilenschneider | January 2, 2019 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), Abundance, Anti-Oppression, Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Compassion, Discernment, Empathy, Hospitality, Inclusion, Judaism, Kindness, Living Our Faith, Responsibility, WorshipWeb -
We gather together on this Christmas Eve as fellow sojourners looking for light, for hope, for peace, and for love. We gather as people from many backgrounds, many faiths, many cultures, and many spiritual paths. But as we light this chalice, we gather as one body looking to the Nativity for its...Chalice Lighting | By Dan Lambert | December 20, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas -
In real life, sometimes grief looms largest in December. Sometimes there's one too many dress-ups and the gold tulle makes your legs itch. “I just needed it to stop for a minute. Next time I will take calm breaths.”Reflection | By Misha Sanders | December 19, 2018 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: Advent, Children, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Direct Experience, Limitations, Self-Care, Self-Respect -
There's nothing simple about the holidays. Joy can feel empty when it is compulsory. The promise of liberation is hard fought and well earned.Reflection | By Alex Haider-Winnett | December 12, 2018 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: Christmas Eve / Christmas, Direct Experience, Simplicity, Summer Solstice, Winter -
Christmas is a risk for us to take. Shall we allow ourselves to be touched by sentiment? Awakened by song and story? Drawn into festivities, when our joy depends upon the goodwill of others? Dare we risk the disappointment of hopes raised high and excited expectations? May we have the courage to...Quote | By Rexford J. Styzens | December 8, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Christmas Eve / Christmas, Hope, Tradition, Vulnerability -
Each week until Christmas, we light a new candle on the Advent wreath, a circle of evergreens.Ritual | By Megan Visser | November 13, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Advent, Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Hope, Peace -
Note: The Minister or Director of Education narrates this pageant with help from two youth leaders and three “guest stars.” The entire congregation participates as prompted. Congregants remain in their seats but there are three opportunities for children to join the leaders on the chancel. No...Script | By Norman Allen | October 6, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Tradition, Unitarian Universalism -
Did you notice that in the story of Christmas there are lots of journeys? Mary and Joseph have to go on a journey. The shepherds have to go on a journey. And those angels must have gone on a journey to find the shepherds....Script | By Kathy Schmitz | October 5, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Children, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Direct Experience, Generations, Imagination, Journey, Relationships
-
I like to think that after many years of living together, our family has developed a certain sense of equilibrium, a certain ease with each other. From time to time, of course, differences arise and sometimes, and, occasionally, an act of outright rebellion....Reading | By Carl Scovel | September 4, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Direct Experience, Power -
Calling all who cannot wait any longer for joy, for hope and some good news (even a little). The time has come, the waiting is over....Opening | By Gretchen Haley | September 4, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas
-
In the days ahead, many of us will gather with family and friends, people with whom we may have long and complicated relationships. It helps to prepare. Let us enter into the spirit of prayer or meditation. Dear Spirit, Great Mystery that has blessed us with Life, help us to feel grateful....Prayer | By Susanne Intriligator | June 18, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Brokenness, Challenge, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Direct Experience, Family, Father's Day, Forgiveness, Healing, Humanism, Mother's Day, Searching, Secular, Thanksgiving, Tradition -
Holy One, Emmanuel, You are with us and we with You, now on the eve of a birth like no other, and a birth exactly like all others. We ponder the dreams and foretelling—royalty, savior, the light of the world. Revolution and possibility wrapped in helplessness and vulnerability. Divine love...Prayer | By Lisa Doege | January 23, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Awe, Birth, Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Joy, Redemption -
Once upon a time, a baby was born. Even before that baby was born, there were people waiting and wishing and hoping for that baby. The people who were waiting and wishing and hoping for that baby didn’t know exactly what that baby would be like. And so, they wondered: Would the baby have a smile...Time for All Ages | By Gwen Matthews | January 23, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Advent, Awe, Child Dedication, Children, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Family, Fathers, Generations, Humanism, Mothers, Parents, Secular, Tradition -
We remember the Magi, Observers of stars, Evidence-based seekers Who found their way to kneel before a baby. May we, too, kneel before life’s intricate mysteries Following the path of science-based searchers for truth We remember Mary, Birth-mother of a revolutionary prophet The fetus in her womb...Prayer | By Rebecca Ann Parker | December 18, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Anti-Oppression, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Integrity, Living Our Faith, Multiculturalism, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Unitarian Universalism, Vulnerability -
It’s been said that it’s easier to untangle a string of lights if you plug them in; it’s no different for people. Humans, just like strings of lights, are wired for connection.Reflection | By Erin Powers | December 13, 2017 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: Advent, Awe, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Connections, Direct Experience, Humanism, Mystery, Relationships, Secular, Trust, Vulnerability, Wholeness -
We lean in expectation into all that is being born in us at this Holy time of the year...Ritual | By Erika Hewitt | December 2, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Advent, Brokenness, Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Faith, Spiritual Practice, Tradition, Transcendence, Wholeness -
An adequate Christmas would have you calm and open, taking it in, accepting whatever is. Slow it all down like you might be, in some way, attuned to the pace of the Eternal. If you need, you can fake it at first.Reflection | By Jake Morrill | November 29, 2017 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Advent, Balance, Challenge, Choice, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Courage, Direct Experience, Family, God, Self-Care, Spiritual Practice, Spirituality, Thanksgiving, Winter Solstice / Yule -
Week by week, the candles remind us that fear and hopelessness recede as more warmth enters the world.Ritual | By Erika Hewitt | November 26, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Advent, Beginnings, Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Ending, Faith, Hope, Letting Go, Patience, Spiritual Practice -
“If I ask you a question, do you promise to tell me the truth?" For future reference, if a child asks you this question at Christmas time, EVADE.Reflection | By Becky Brooks | October 18, 2017 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: Awe, Children, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Direct Experience, Doubt, Faith, Humanism, Relationships, Searching, Secular, Unitarian Universalism, Wonder -
O God, who moves among the stars of the cold clear sky, whose voice whispers in the silence of falling snow, whose silence stills our hearts and leaves us wondering and waiting. Lord, We are seeking Christmas, searching in this season for a hidden door to a forgotten room in the house of our very...Prayer | By Tom Schade | January 18, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Awe, Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Friendship, God, Relationships, Searching -
Night has fallen. Stars beckon in an indigo and velvet sky Somewhere a baby is being born. Tonight, the world lazes in a love of goodness while glories stream from heaven afar God is meeting us, tonight, where we are. So be not afraid, and be of good cheer, We wish you, each and all, very Merry...Benediction | By Tom Schade | January 18, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Awe, Beauty, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Love, Tradition, Wonder -
Tonight, everyone is displaced and homeless. Tonight, everyone searches for Bethlehem. On this night, when the darkness comes so close, We listen in the stillness for the songs of angels. Like shepherds, we aren't too sure of what is happening. We don't know why we are so expectant. We don't know...Meditation | By Tom Schade | January 18, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Home, Hope, Journey, Searching -
In times like these, we may seek a new word. But perhaps, in times like these, more than new words, we need old words. We made the journey back to Bethlehem; to the old story of a young, unwed, pregnant girl and her fiancé, Joseph, a poor, young carpenter. The Roman emperor, Caesar Augustus,...Reflection | By Teresa Schwartz | January 18, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Anti-Oppression, Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Courage, Fear, Journey, Tradition, Twelfth Night / Epiphany
-
This was written for Christmas Eve, or other occasions when people are each holding a candle. The spirit of the holy dwells in each of us. The spirit of love dwells in each of us. May the flames in our hands remind us that Eternal Love dwells in our hearts....Benediction | By Renee Ruchotzke | January 1, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Awe, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Community, Connections, Immanence, Love, Spirituality, Unitarian Universalism, Wonder -
It was getting dark and the weary travelers needed a place to sleep. It’s almost 70 miles between Nazareth and Bethlehem, and Joseph and Mary were making the long journey that was required of them in order to pay taxes to the Roman Empire. It was a long journey for everyone, but Mary was feeling...Story | By Lynn Gardner | January 1, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas
-
As December opens up before us, we welcome in the gift of reflection.Affirmation | By Gwen Matthews | December 20, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Advent, Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Earth-Centered, Hanukkah, Hope, IllUUmination, Judaism, Love, Mystery, Paganism, Reverence, Tradition, Winter, Winter Solstice / Yule -
Spirit of life and love, we know you by many names or perhaps no name at all— yet together we know this is a holy night. We come from many different traditions or perhaps no tradition at all — We have celebrated decades of Christmases, or this might be only our first or second time at a...Prayer | By Debra Haffner | December 14, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Arts & Music, Awe, Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Connections, Direct Experience, Tradition, Unitarian Universalism