Holidays at First U

Blue Holidays

Sunday, December 14 at 4 p.m.

The world often tells us that the holidays must be merry, bright, and perfect. Here, we hold space for the fuller truth: that joy and sorrow often walk hand in hand. Blue Holidays offers a tender gathering for those carrying grief, longing, or quiet reflection during the season. Together, we create a sanctuary where all emotions are welcome. Through poetry, shared song, and a candle-lighting ritual, we invite the gentle warmth of community to meet us where we are.

All are welcome, but this contemplative ritual is best suited for youth ages 12 and older. Join us in the sanctuary or via YouTube Live.

Christmas Pageant

Saturday, December 20 at 4 p.m.

The Christmas Pageant at First Universalist is not a performance to watch but a story to enter—a tale that invites us to see ourselves as seekers, wanderers, and wonderers. Led by our children and youth, this beloved tradition tells the nativity as we know it to be: a celebration of hope, hospitality, and the transformative power of love. Come for carols that lift the room, costumes that sparkle with joy, and the beauty of youth rising into leadership (stardom?). After the performance, join us in the Social Hall for hot cocoa and cookies—a chance to savor the season’s simple joys in community.

Click here to sing along during the Christmas Pageant.

The pageant is designed for all ages, especially families with young children. The pageant will be presented in-person only.

Winter Solstice Ritual

Sunday, December 21 at 7 p.m.

In a time that races toward the light without pausing to honor the wisdom of the dark, the Winter Solstice calls us to linger, to sit with the questions that only the night can hold, and to trust the turning of the earth beneath us. This ceremony, created together as a community, weaves music, silence, and firelight. In the hush of the night, we share stories, light candles, and draw warmth from one another as we welcome the sun’s slow return.

All are welcome, but this contemplative ritual is best suited for youth ages 12 and older. Join us in the sanctuary or via YouTube Live.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Wednesday, December 24 at 7 p.m.

On Christmas Eve, we gather to hear an ancient story and to look toward the possibilities it still holds for us. The nativity, with its quiet courage and radical hospitality, reminds us of the power of love born anew in the world. In the glow of candlelight, we listen to scripture and poetry, sing carols that echo through generations, and hold moments of stillness that feel like a gift in themselves. This service is not a performance but a quiet act of hope, a reminder that even in the chaos of the world, there is another way.

Click here to join in song during the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.

All are welcome, but this candlelight ritual is best suited for youth ages 12 and older. Join us in the sanctuary or via YouTube Live.