The sad, lonely and disaffected find comfort in a Blue Christmas

The Reverend Diane Hendricks is fully aware that for many people misery does not end at Christmas. Indeed, the diet of enforced jollity, celebration and good cheer can make people feel even more depressed. Her solution? A "Blue Christmas" service at which members of the congregation are encouraged to reflect and meditate, share their pain and – if they must – even try to enjoy themselves.

"If you are going through a difficult time in your life, Christmas can make it even more difficult," said Mrs Hendricks, a minister at the Little Falls Presbyterian Church in Arlington, Virginia. "You can feel that you are the only person who is not feeling full of good cheer. It can be particularly isolating."

Mrs Hendricks first held the service last year, when in the aftermath of the attacks of 11 September, she felt that people might want more opportunity for reflection at Christmas. But over the past 10 years they have been a growing phenomenon within the Protestant church in the US, where they are known generally as Longest Night services because they are often held on 21 December, the winter solstice. Last week, people attending the service in Arlington ranged from those who had lost a grandparent and husband to those who were having to deal with illness. All agreed that the service helped.

"My grandfather died in May and this will be the first Christmas without him," Carlin Schwartz, a 24-year-old teacher, told The Washington Post. "I thought it would be easier to do all the other Christmas stuff if I could get the sadness out of the way first." Some said they believed the service, which included readings from the Bible as well as the lighting of candles, offered an alternative to the commercialisation of Christmas. "I came because it's a wonderful relief from all the glitter and turmoil," said Ann Potter, a retired librarian.

Mental health experts suggest that the need for Blue Christmas services arises because expectations of a happy time are not met. "Our call volume goes up a lot," said Mary Azoy, a director with Crisis-Link, which serves the greater Washington DC area. "I'm delighted to know that some of the churches are recognising the part of us that wants to be quiet rather than going out and spending $300 on gifts that nobody wants."