A Christmas Prayer

A Christmas Prayer Dear God, We are thankful that on this Day/Eve of Christmas we, along with millions of people around the world, are celebrating together the miraculous birth of Your Son, Jesus Christ. We are grateful for our family and friends who have safely traveled near and far to be together on Christmas. Our decorations and beautiful lights serve as gentle reminders of the star filled night of Your son’s birth. The Christmas tree which represents eternal life is in the midst of our homes putting Christ at the center of our lives --and we pray --together --for His presence every day of the year. Tonight/today we gather around the tree to share the gift of giving and honor Jesus on this glorious holy night/day. We thank you Lord for blessing us with food to eat, and acknowledge our gift of abundance while so many others have less or none. We pray that the less fortunate are not forgotten and have received blessings from others who are near them. We pray that we become compassionate people that will serve one another and please you. We offer this tradition tonight/today that we share with each other to keep alive the “true meaning of Christmas” for generations to come. For it is through Christ’s birth and resurrection that we have hope of reuniting with all those who have gone before us -- and who will go after us to their rest, especially . . . [name all the departed], and all others who have gone to their rest in the hope of rising again. Dear Jesus, We pray that through God’s grace they are in Your midst celebrating the mystery of your birth, for everyday in Heaven is Christmas and that every person who passes from this earth will be in your presence. On this Holy night/day we pray together for the world to be at peace and united in love and that the spirit of Christmas will live on in our daily lives. Jesus, we ask this in your name, Amen!