lords prayer words - traditional and contemporary prayers

Christmas Prayer


Gathered together on this page are a number of short prayers, bible readings, and inspiring quotes for Christmas. Here you can discover the ancient Christian prayer of St Augustine (a prayer over 1500 years old!), a beautiful contemporary prayer poem, as well as Anglican and Catholic blessings, family dinner prayers and some great Christmas prayers for children.

A Christmas Prayer Blessing

a blessing suitable for a Christmas card or to give to a friend:-
christmas prayer blessing



resources on this page


A Christmas Dinner Prayer

Lord,
Thank you for this treasured time with family and friends.
Thank you for your goodness, for warmth, light and food.
Thank you for the birth of your son Jesus, for coming from heaven to be with us.
Light in the darkness, hope to the hopeless, we celebrate your love today.
Amen.

(a grace prayer for the Christmas meal from www.lords-prayer-words.com)


Christmas in Bethlehem. The ancient dream: a cold, clear night made brilliant by a glorious star, the smell of incense, shepherds and wise men falling to their knees in adoration of the sweet baby, the incarnation of perfect love.

Lucinda Franks, Journalist




Short Christmas Poem



More Than A Story

Love came, held safely within a gentle womb
All the truth, majesty, and creativity of a living God
Poured into a tiny heart
Making a quiet entrance in a dark and uninviting shack
Just one star shone anew as a handful of people were brought
Led by angelic voices, and open hearts
A young mother
A faith-filled father
Men of wisdom who searched for truth
And a group of humble herdsmen
They came to bow before a new life
And acknowledge that the rescuer had arrived
That the Word of God had come alive
And that the extraordinary transformation of heaven and earth
Had begun

(Poem by Julie Palmer, c. 2011)


A Christmas prayer meditation

A short (4min) video featuring the prayer poem written above:-


Short Christmas Prayer


Lord, you know what it means to be vulnerable
A fragile young life, a defenceless young babe
So may this heart be vulnerable and open
This Christmas with Christ, walking closer each day

(a modern prayer for Christmas from www.lords-prayer-words.com)



Traditional Prayers for Christmas


A Prayer for Christmas Morning

The day of joy returns, Father in Heaven, and crowns another year with peace and good will.
Help us rightly to remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men.
Close the doors of hate and open the doors 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 that Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clean hearts.
May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children,
And the Christmas evening bring us to our bed with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake.
Amen

(Henry Van Dyke 1852-1933)


christmas prayer

Christmas Prayer

Let Your goodness Lord appear to us, that we
made in your image, conform ourselves to it.
In our own strength
we cannot imitate Your majesty, power, and wonder
nor is it fitting for us to try.
But Your mercy reaches from the heavens
through the clouds to the earth below.
You have come to us as a small child,
but you have brought us the greatest of all gifts,
the gift of eternal love
Caress us with Your tiny hands,
embrace us with Your tiny arms
and pierce our hearts with Your soft, sweet cries.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)



A Christmas Blessing

A short message suitable for sending to a loved one at Christmas time:-

(N.B. The words to this blessing appear near the beginning of this page.)

Christmas Prayer for Children


Dear God,

Thank you for all the fun and excitement of Christmas.
Thank you for the amazing nativity story, that tells us about the birth of Jesus.
Thank you for sending us your Son, a gift from you into this world.
As we look at the lights on the tree, remind us of the light Jesus brought to this Earth.
When we sing songs and carols, remind us of the hope Jesus showed everyone.
And as we open the gifts and presents, remind us that Jesus was the best gift ever.
Help us to share special times with family and friends this Christmas,
And to share the light, hope and gift of Jesus to the world.

Amen.

(prayer from www.lords-prayer-words.com)


Christmas Day Prayer

christmas day prayer

Christmas Dinner Prayer for Children


Dear God, our homes are so full of fun and joy on this special day,
With presents underneath the tree, and gifts to give away!
It’s great to get together with friends and family,
To spend this time with each other, it makes us so happy!
Our table is laid out with food, it really smells so good,
With yummy Christmas dinner, and tasty Christmas pud!
Thank you for all these good things, and for the love we share today.
We invite you Lord to come and be with us on this your special day!


(a mealtime prayer from www.lords-prayer-words.com)


A Fun Christmas Prayer

"Cheeky Monkey" helps children learn about praying to God. In this epsisode, we learn about the real meaning of Christmas:-


Catholic Christmas Prayer

Nativity Prayer by St. Augustine

Let the just rejoice,
for their justifier is born.
Let the sick and infirm rejoice,
For their saviour is born.
Let the captives rejoice,
For their Redeemer is born.
Let slaves rejoice,
for their Master is born.
Let free men rejoice,
For their Liberator is born.
Let All Christians rejoice,
For Jesus Christ is born.

(St. Augustine of Hippo, AD 354-440)


Anglican Christmas Blessing

The Nativity of Our Lord: Christmas Day

O God, who hast caused this holy night to shine with the illumination of the true Light:
Grant us, we beseech thee,
that as we have known the mystery of that Light upon earth,
so may we also perfectly enjoy him in heaven;
where with thee and the Holy Spirit he liveth and reigneth,
one God, in glory everlasting.

Amen.

Source: Book of Common Prayer, 1979 version, Protestant Episcopal Church in the USA.


We consider Christmas as the encounter, the great encounter, the historical encounter, the decisive encounter, between God and mankind. He who has faith knows this truly; let him rejoice.

Pope Paul VI, (1963-1978)



Christmas Dinner Prayer for the Family


Dear Father God,

Thank you for this wonderful Christmas dinner,
and for those who have prepared this meal today.
Thank you for the goodness and provision of the beautiful earth you have made,
And the farmers, shopkeepers and cooks who serve us.
Thank you for our family and friends,
And the blessing and joy of the relationships which you have given us.
Thank you for your love for the world we live in,
And for the presence of your Spirit which brings new hope and forgiveness.
Thank you for the gift of your Son Jesus, sent by you to free us and guide us.
Help us to always remember to invite you into every day,
So that we might bring your goodness, blessing and freedom to all we meet.

Amen.

(a blessing from www.lords-prayer-words.com)


A Children's Prayer for Christmas


God, thank you for Christmas
For all the great toys and presents
I love this time
And never want it to end!

God, thank you for Christmas
For all my friends and family
I love them so much
And place them all into Your loving hands.

God, thank you for Christmas
For sending Jesus to be with me
I love Him so much
And give my heart to Him.
Amen.

(a simple children's prayer for the festive season from www.lords-prayer-words.com)




Christmas is the day that holds all time together.

Alexander Smith, Scottish Poet, (1829-1867)

A Christmas Blessing

May love come alive within your heart
As Christmas time draws near.
May hope fill each room you decorate
And bring joy to those you hold dear.
May peace be before you at every meal
And faith ring through every song.
For Christ is alive, the light of the world
May he bless you all season long.

(a blessing suitable for a Christmas card, from www.lords-prayer-words.com)




Bible verses about Christmas

A collection of verses from the scriptures suitable as quotes for Christmas cards, as readings or at Christmas services.

Christ's Birth is Prophesied

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6, (NIV)


A Virgin Shall Conceive

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14, (NHEB)


The Birthplace is Foretold

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
being small among the clans of Judah,
out of you one will come out to me that is to be ruler in Israel;
whose goings out are from of old, from ancient times.

Micah 5:2, (WEB)



Take a moment to hear from God...

here are some more prayers for the Christian seasons