The holiday season is coming fast. And that means it’s time to start planning a holiday remembrance program.

To help you get started and inspired, we’ve compiled a list of touching holiday readings and remembrance poems. Feel free to incorporate them into your own holiday program to create a special remembrance service for families this year.

Holiday Remembrance Poems

Christmas in Heaven by A.S. Reitz

I’ve had my first Christmas in Heaven;

A glorious, wonderful day! 

I stood with the saints of the ages.

Who found Christ the Truth and the Way.

We sang the glad songs of redemption, 

How Jesus to Bethlehem came,

And how they called His name Jesus,

That all might be saved through His name.

Oh darling, I wish you had been here; 

No Christmas on earth could compare

With all the rapture and glory 

We witnessed in Heaven so fair.

Read full poem here

Light a Candle by Paul Alexander

And I will light a candle for you
To shatter all the darkness and bless the times we knew
Like a beacon in the night
The flame will burn bright and guide us on our way
Oh, today I light a candle for you

The seasons come and go, and I’m weary from the change
I keep moving on, you know it’s not the same
And when I’m walking all alone
Do you hear me call your name?
Do you hear me sing the songs we used to sing?

Read full poem here

Christmas in Heaven Unknown Author

We’re wondering what Christmas in Heaven is like 

As we grieve alone and pray, 

longing for one who has gone before 

To spend Christmas in Heaven today.

And so in our dreams we wander far 

From the scenes and sounds of earth 

‘Til we catch the strains of the Heavenly choir 

As they sing of the Christ Child’s birth.

The Angels we envision there 

As they join in the restal gay

And there amid the throng is our Loved One

Spending Christmas in Heaven today.

There’s joy in the faith that teaches 

When our life’s work is done

Of a place in Heaven awaiting 

And the crown we worked for is won.

In our grief may we learn well the lesson 

So to work and suffer and pray

As to merit the joys of our loved one 

And to spend Christmas together some day.

Christmas Memories by Arden Lansing

I’m so glad I hold these memories,

For with them I hold part of you.

So for now I’ll wipe away the tears

And join with loved ones dear

To celebrate this Christmas time,

For I know that, in my heart, you’re here.

Read full poem here

I Will Light Candles this Christmas by Howard Thurman

I will light Candles this Christmas,

Candles of joy despite all the sadness,

Candles of hope where despair keeps watch,

Candles of courage for fears ever present,

Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days,

Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens,

Candles of love to inspire all my living,

Candles that will burn all year long.

Read full poem here

Holiday Remembrance Readings

You Shall Ask by Nancy Wood

You shall ask

What good are dead leaves

And I will tell you

They nourish the sore earth.

You shall ask

What reason is there for winter

And I will tell you

To bring about new leaves.

You shall ask

Why are the leaves so green

And I will tell you

Because they are rich with life.

You shall ask

Why must summer end

And I will tell you

So that the leaves can die.

Four Candles Unknown Author

The first candle represents our grief.

The pain of losing you is intense.

It reminds us of the depth of our love for you.

This second candle represents our courage.

To confront our sorrow,

To comfort each other,

To change our lives.

This third candle we light in your memory.

For the times we laughed,

The times we cried,

The times we were angry with each other,

The silly things you did,

The caring and joy you gave us.

This fourth candle we light for our love.

We light this candle that your light will always shine.

As we enter this holiday season and share this night of remembrance

with our family and friends.

We cherish the special place in our hearts

that will always be reserved for you.

We thank you for the gift

your living brought to each of us.

We love you.

We remember you

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Remember Me in Your Heart Unknown Author

To the living, I am gone,

To the sorrowful, I will never return,

To the angry, I was cheated,

But to the happy, I am at peace,

And to the faithful, I have never left.

I cannot speak, but I can listen.

I cannot be seen, but I can be heard.

So as you stand upon a shore gazing at a beautiful sea . . .

As you look upon a flower and admire its simplicity . . . .

Remember me.

Remember me in your heart:

Your thoughts, and your memories,

Of the times we loved,

The times we cried,

The times we fought,

The times we laughed.

For if you always think of me,

I will never have gone.

We Remember Them by Sylvan Kamens & Rabbi Jack Riemer

In the rising of the sun, and in its going down, we remember them.

From the moment I wake till I fall asleep, all that I do is remember them.

In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter, we remember them.

On the frigid days of winter and the moments I breathe the cold air, I warm myself with their embrace, and remember them.

In the opening of buds and in the rebirth of spring, we remember them.

As the days grow longer and the outside becomes warmer, I am more awake and I remember them.

In the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of summer, we remember them.

When I look above and see the images of the clouds and when I am comforted by the sun that shines down on me, I remember them.

In the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn, we remember them.

From the time in which I feel the cool, crisp breeze and see the colors of the leaves, I remember them.

Read full prayer reading here

What are your favorite memorial readings or poems for your holiday remembrance program? Share with us in the comments below!