Celebrating Christmas Eve / Christmas

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

Search Words for Worship Services

Displaying 1 - 10 of 125.

Affirmation

  • Now the Work of Christmas Begins (WorshipWeb)
    By Howard Thurman
    Tagged as: Community, Hope, Justice, Peace, Purpose, Redemption, Service, Work
  • You Are the Holiday Miracle (WorshipWeb)
    By Gwen Matthews
    Tagged as: Christianity, Earth-Centered, Hope, Judaism, Love, Mystery, Paganism, Reverence, Tradition, Winter

Benediction

  • Christmas Eve Benediction (WorshipWeb)
    By Maureen Killoran
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Acceptance, Caring, Community, Courage, Unitarian Universalism, WorshipWeb
  • Hear the Angels Sing (WorshipWeb)
    By Tom Schade
    Tagged as: Awe, Beauty, Love, Tradition, Wonder
  • The Holy Dwells in Each of Us (WorshipWeb)
    By Renee Ruchotzke
    Tagged as: Awe, Community, Connections, Immanence, Love, Spirituality, Unitarian Universalism, Wonder

Chalice Lighting

  • Fellow Sojourners (WorshipWeb)
    By Dan Lambert
    Tagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Christianity
  • Chalice Lightings for Advent (WorshipWeb)
    By David Breeden
    Tagged as: Christianity, Forgiveness, Generosity, Hope, Justice, Love, Patience, Peace, Strength, Winter, Wisdom

Homily

  • Children's Christmas Sermon (WorshipWeb)
    By Gary Kowalski
    Tagged as: 6th Principle (World Community), Children, Christianity, Courage, Justice, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Transformation
  • More Than a Bike (WorshipWeb)
    By Megan Foley
    Tagged as: Abundance, Belief, Children, Direct Experience, Discernment, Generosity, Humanism, Listening, Meaning, Secular, WorshipWeb, Worship

Image

  • December 1 (WorshipWeb)
    By Ralph Yeager Roberts
    Tagged as: Christianity, Unitarianism, Winter
Abstract and unfocused multicolored lights.
Figures from a nativity creche, including an adult figure gazing at the infant Jesus
Chalice within a wreath of holly.