Most are free-to-use (ie public domain or copyright-free) meaning the words can be copied and sung to at least one tune with no concerns about copyright or performance licensing - sometimes in a limited setting.
About Blue Christmas
"Blue Christmas" church services are fo people who have experienced a personal loss or incident which means they are not, at the moment, feeling the usual joy and happiness of the Christmas season. This could include people who have had a loss like death of a loved one, marriage breakup, serious illness/disability, job-loss, or a traumatic event like a serious assault or injury.These services are typically held in late December (close to the 21st) - but can be held at other times of the year, including 21 June (the longest night in the southern hemisphere).
Aims of such a service often include reminding people that they are not alone, honouring their their feelings, and if possible providing some experience of a healing ritual, eg lighting a candle or praying with someone.
There is no defined set of scripture readings for such a service, but some suggestions are below.
Hymns generally need to focus on healing and be contemplative. Some free-use and currently-subject-to-copyright suggestions are below, including some of the more restrained traditional Christmas carols.
Balm in Gilead
Aims of such a service often include reminding people that they are not alone, honouring their their feelings, and if possible providing some experience of a healing ritual, eg lighting a candle or praying with someone.
There is no defined set of scripture readings for such a service, but some suggestions are below.
Hymns generally need to focus on healing and be contemplative. Some free-use and currently-subject-to-copyright suggestions are below, including some of the more restrained traditional Christmas carols.
Suggested Readings
These are some possible scripture readings - there are many others;Old Testament
- Isaiah 40:1, 25-31 - O comfort my people
- Lamentations 3:1-3, 19-26
Psalms
- Psalm 13 - How long O Lord must I wait ...
- Psalm 121 - I lift up my eyes into the hills.
New Testament
- Matthew 5:3-12
- Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to me all who labour
Free-use hymns and songs
Abide with MeBalm in Gilead
Comfort, Comfort Ye my People - Winkworth
Help me Jesus Christ
If Thou but Suffer God to Guide Thee
In the Bleak Mid-Winter
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
Kumbayah
Love Came Down at Christmas
O Come O Come Emmanuel
Comfort, Comfort my People
Nearer my God to Thee
Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen
Precious Lord
See Amid the Winter's Snow
Sing my soul when Hope is Sleeping - Bell /Maule
Sweet Hour of Prayer
The Lord’s My Shepherd
'Twas in the Moon of Wintertime / Huron Carol (Canadian)
Wexford Carol
What Child is This
What Wondrous Love
Come to me all who Labour - Norbet
Sweet Hour of Prayer
The Lord’s My Shepherd
'Twas in the Moon of Wintertime / Huron Carol (Canadian)
Wexford Carol
What Child is This
Hymns that may still be copyright
Come as You Are - Browne
God of Day and God of Darkness - Haugen
I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry
I Will Lift up my Eyes - Alonso
Jesus Comes (In a far off place Jesus comes to earth) - Bringle
O Comfort my People - Waddell
Suffer Little Children - Green
Suffer Little Children - Green