Prayer of Christmas
Lord God Almighty,
On this holy night we gather to celebrate the birth of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ. It is a moment of joy and gladness, for in him we recognise the supreme gift of love you have given us.
In the midst of the cold of the night, a shining star guided the magi to the manger, and today, Lord, we ask you that this same star of Bethlehem guide our lives. Illumine our hearts, drive away the darkness from our souls and lead us along the path of faith, hope and charity.
We thank you for the gift of Jesus, who came to bring the light of salvation to a world often plunged in the darkness of sin. Through his birth, he shows us the way to redemption and eternal life.
On this holy night, Lord, we pray to you for all those in need, for the sick, the afflicted, the oppressed. Give them the consolation of your loving presence.
May the peace of Christmas reign in our hearts, in our families and throughout the world. Enable us to be instruments of your peace, love and grace.
We thank you, Lord, for this priceless gift of Christmas, and we ask you to bless our celebration on this holy day. May Christ, our Saviour, be at the centre of our lives, today and always.
In the name of Jesus, born in Bethlehem, we pray to you.
Amen.
Novena prayer in preparation for Christmas:
First day: Preparing for the coming of Jesus
Lord Jesus, we begin this novena to prepare our hearts to celebrate your birth. Help us to focus on the true meaning of Christmas, which is love, peace and the gift of yourself for us. May our hearts open to receive you in new ways this Advent season. Amen.
Day Two: The Light of Advent
Lord, may the light of Advent shine in our lives, dispelling the darkness of ignorance and selfishness. Allow us to turn to you as the source of all light and to find in you true hope for a better world. Amen.
Third day: Peace and Reconciliation
Prince of Peace, we pray to you to spread peace in our lives and throughout the world. Help us to be peacemakers, to forgive wrongs and to seek reconciliation. May the peace of Christmas flood our hearts and our families. Amen.
Fourth day: The Joy of Advent
Lord, may the joy of Advent fill our hearts. Allow us to rejoice in the expectation of your coming and to share that joy with others. May our celebration of Christmas be filled with joy and gratitude for your gift of love. Amen.
Fifth day: Faith and hope
O God, increase our faith and hope this Advent season. Help us to believe in your unconditional love and the promise of your salvation. May our faith be strengthened and our hope rekindled as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Saviour. Amen.
Day Six: Charity and generosity
Lord Jesus, inspire us to be charitable and generous to those in need. May our generosity reflect your love for us, and may we be a blessing to those who suffer in this season. Amen.
Day Seven: Family and Communion
Heavenly Father, we thank you for our families and for the communion we share. Help us to strengthen family bonds, forgive offences and celebrate the love that unites us. May our homes be filled with warmth and fellowship this Advent season. Amen.
Eighth day: Gratitude for your gift
Lord, we thank you for the priceless gift of your Son, Jesus Christ. May we never forget the grace of Christmas and always express our gratitude to you and to those around us. Amen.
Ninth day: Welcoming Jesus into our hearts
Lord Jesus, we welcome you into our hearts this Advent season. May your presence transform our lives, fill us with your love and help us to become witnesses to your grace. We thank you for the gift of Christmas and pray that your love will guide our lives throughout the year. Amen.
