We conclude COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS here on GUWG with a selection of Christmas Day prayers to help us all keep the focus where it belongs today:
JESUS
Christmas Morning Prayer
Eternal God,
This joyful day is radiant with the brilliance of your one true light.
May that light illuminate our hearts and shine in our words and deeds.
May the hope, the peace, the joy, and the love
represented by the birth in Bethlehem fill our lives
and become part of all that we say and do.
May we share the divine life of your son Jesus Christ,
even as he humbled himself to share our humanity.
Let us be thankful for the true gift of Christmas:
your Son.
Children’s Prayer
Happy Birthday, Jesus!
We are happy because today is your special day,
you were born today, just for us.
We thank you that you came from heaven to earth just for us.
Thank you for all you did for us when you were here with us.
You taught us how to love each other.
Help us to remember to be more loving.
You taught us how to do the right thing.
Remind us that you are with us, even when we think no one is looking.
We thank you that you didn’t just stay a baby in a cradle
but you grew up to be our savior and died on the cross for our sins.
We thank you that you didn’t stay dead but you came alive
and went to heaven, opening a way so we can go there too, someday.
Thank you for all our food and family and friends.
Thank you for everyone who helped make this a great day!
Family Gathering Prayer
Father God,
When your precious Son came to earth
as a tiny baby born in a stable in Bethlehem
in poverty and simplicity,
you changed our world.
As we imagine those surroundings,
we join with the shepherds and the wise men
in wonder and praise.
We thank you for our material lives,
praise you for our spiritual lives
and trust in you for our eternal life.
Prayer Before Opening Gifts
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for giving us the best Christmas gift ever
when you sent us your Son.
Help us to accept that awesome gift with joyful hearts.
Jesus,
Help us to know you more and more
each and every day and to share your light
with those who are lost in darkness.
Holy Spirit,
Fill us to overflowing with
love and joy and peace
so that we can be more like Jesus.
Help us to spread the good news of your great gift
throughout the world.
Christmas Dinner Prayer
God of all gifts,
We thank you for the many ways
you have blessed us this day.
We are grateful for each of those
who are gathered around this table.
We ask you to bless us and our food
and to bless those we love
who are not with us today.
In our gratitude and love,
we remember the humble birth of your Son
and pray for those who are without enough to eat
and for those who have no place to live.
We remember the challenging message
of caring and giving preached by your Son,
and we pray for love and peace in families
and nations throughout the world.
We give you thanks for the gift of your Son,
who was born on the first Christmas Day,
and for your Spirit who brings our hearts to life
this Christmas Day and forever.
Christmas Evening Prayer
Loving God,
Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.
Close the door of hate
and open the door of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift
and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.
May Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake.
(Robert Louis Stevenson)
MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!
