The Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew presents " Blue Christmas: A Service of Reflection for the Longest Night" at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow.

The holiday season brings happy carols, twinkling lights and bright packages. But for those grieving, experiencing loss, pain, or illness, it can be beyond difficult to simply "be of good cheer" at Christmas time.

Blue Christmas will be held on the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year. The service offers music, silent meditation and healing prayer for those experiencing inner turmoil. It aims to acknowledge sadness with the comfort of knowing the real reason for the season: that we are not alone, and that light will come again.

"There are a lot of people in our community who have recently lost a loved one or a job, are ill, or are just finding it impossible to make ends meet" said the Very Rev. Timothy W. Sexton, Cathedral Provost. "And there are folks for whom the holidays bring back memories of loved ones who passed away even years ago. This service is a place where it's okay to be sad — but it's also a place to know that you're not alone, that God sends us comfort in our pain, that God sent us his Son."

All are warmly welcome to attend Blue Christmas, whether experiencing pain and/or loss — or simply seeking a time of peace among the chaos of the holiday season.

The Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew is located at 229 Queen Emma Square in Honolulu, at the corner of Beretania and Alakea/Queen Emma Streets. Free parking is available in the Cathedral lot.