Some prayers to use at church and to take home
A Christmas Eve prayer
Gracious God:
for children who wait excitedly for the morning, we pray joy;
for children separated from those they love, we pray comfort;
for children in hospital, we pray healing;
for children in places of violence, we pray safety;
for children who are hungry, we pray sustenance.
For all children, Lord Jesus, child of hope and light of the world;
we pray new blessings,
this Christmas and always.
Amen.
A reflection: Christmas Eve
In shadows
In light, fragile and flickering
Excited, unprepared
We wait, Lord.
As night dismisses the day and we hover on the cusp of Christmas
We wait
In cautious joy
In unfamiliar expectancy
In tingling hope
In spite of ourselves
We wait
So come, Lord
Come in the first breath of the morning
And call us by name
Amen.
Your kingdom come
Lord God,
as we welcome you this Christmas
and celebrate your birth, help us to pray:
with your words, your longing, your hope,
your joy, your compassion.
That your kingdom may truly come
and all creation celebrate your presence among us
through pain and happiness,
where there is need and where there is plenty.
We ask this in the name of Jesus,
Child of the crib and Prince of peace.
Amen.
Be born in us today
Gracious God,
though we have been slow to make our way to Bethlehem:
Lord Jesus, be born in us today.
Though we didn't notice others
who were struggling on their journey:
Lord Jesus, be born in us today.
When we have forgotten the lonely
and thought only of our own feasts:
Lord Jesus, be born in us today.
As we pray in our homes, our churches, our communities:
Lord Jesus, be born in us today.
As we kneel before your crib,
with angels and shepherds,
with Mary and Joseph,
with sheep and oxen:
Lord Jesus, be born in us today.
Amen.
The gift of Christmas
Loving God, thank you for the gift of Christmas.
It doesn't come wrapped like other presents,
it’s deeper and warmer and brighter.
It is more personal, more challenging, more beautiful.
It is a mystery, a birth, a hope.
Thank you.
Help us to receive Christmas in our hearts
and to share it with others.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
A Christmas Day Prayer
Jesus, child of the crib,
with Mary, who gave birth to you,
with the innkeeper, who found a stable for you,
with Joseph, who protected you,
with the animals of the stable, who watched over you,
with the angels, who sang of you,
with the shepherds, who ran to you,
with our brothers and sisters throughout the world,
we welcome you.
Jesus, Saviour of the world, we welcome you.
Amen.
A prayer for the Sunday after Christmas
Jesus, child of the crib,
with Mary, who gave birth to you,
with Joseph, who protected you,
with the people of Nazareth, who welcomed you,
with the Temple teachers, who marvelled at you,
with our brothers and sisters throughout the world,
we welcome you.
Jesus Saviour of the world, we welcome you.
Amen.
Other special prayers for the Christmas season