A Prayer for Christmas

Merry Christmas, Christ Church! As you celebrate this day with friends and family, here is a prayer that you can pray to help you praise Jesus and center your heart on the purpose of Christmas. You can choose to pray this individually or with your family!


O God,

As we gather together this Christmas
we stop to consider the purpose of this season

While this holiday boasts of gifts made by hands,
we celebrate the ultimate Gift, Jesus,
the best gift we could ever receive

As we gaze upon the twinkling lights on houses,
or the ones strung upon our tree,
we remember that the Light of the World has come

Although our world is desperately broken–
tainted by sin, sickness, conflict, and fear–
we rejoice that our Prince of Peace has come

Almighty God, the birth of Your Son was Your plan
Promised to ancestors past, sustained by Your grace,
fulfilled by Your faithfulness alone

We praise You, we bless You, we glorify You for giving us Jesus
The true reason for this season

This world boasts in joy rooted in the perfect home
or the number of presents underneath the tree
We too can find ourselves consumed with these things

Often, we can find that our imagination has been captured
By what the world celebrates and desires this season
O God, humble our hearts

Often we can find ourselves jealous and discontent
Coveting the experiences or possessions of another
O God, humble our hearts

Keep us from being swayed by the consumerism of this season
Guard our minds from fixating on worldly gain
Help us focus on the purpose of Christmas

For this season is not about what we gain–
the perfect meal, the perfect house, or the perfect gift

This season is about Jesus

So as we gather together, Let us rejoice over the baby born in Bethlehem
Come, let us adore Him

He left His throne to dwell with us
Come, let us adore Him

He took on flesh to be like us
Come, let us adore Him

He healed the sick and forgave the sinner
Come, let us adore Him

He offered mercy and grace to those in fear
Come, let us adore Him

He remained sinless and obedient, a perfect spotless lamb
Come, let us adore Him

He took our punishment upon the cross
Come, let us adore Him

He rose again in victory
Come, let us adore Him

His wondrous light has broken through our darkness
Come, let us adore Him

God, help us remember the angels' song of good news of great joy
Sung thousands of years ago,
for the song of the gospel is greater than any carols we could sing

Fill our hearts with this song this Christmas
May it be on our lips throughout the day

And when the day is done–
when all the gifts have been unwrapped, and we are tucked into our beds tight–
may we awake the next day with the joy of Christmas still in our hearts

For the message of this season isn't for a season or for one day alone
The purpose of your coming Jesus, the salvation You would go on to achieve
is a message to remember every day of our lives

But for now, prepare our hearts for Christmas
Fill us with your love, joy, and peace
Stir our affections for You

We rejoice that You have come to us
We rejoice that You will come to us again

Amen