A Christmas Prayer

A Prayer for Christmas Day

How each of us celebrates Christmas Day will depend so much upon who you share the day with.  For some it will be a huge day of festivities, for others it will be very quiet.  For some there will be all the trimmings – on the table and under the tree, for others maybe a simple meal and one present, if any at all.  For some they will be surrounded by extended family and for others they will be alone......

Christmas Day can be tricky to navigate and don’t always believe those picture perfect posts you see on social media!  Expectations are high and hope rest on others shoulders not to let us down. Christmas can be a minefield! 

However you celebrate the day this is my Christmas Prayer – for you and me!

Heavenly Father, here we are again on the cusp of Christmas and it seems every year that the Christmas season arrives earlier and earlier, with the busyness of shopping malls, sales and the pressure to buy the “perfect” gift.  Please Lord, keep us level-headed in the coming days, let us not be drawn into the crowds, noise and chaos. 

For those who are weary, for those who have what seems like an insurmountable list of things to do still, Lord, I ask that You fill them with strength to continue the year to the very best of their abilities, and for themselves and their families to finish this year strong. For those who will work right up to Christmas, and those working through Christmas, Lord please be with them as they carry out their duties, help them perform their tasks and keep focus while others may talk of holidays and days off.

Father God, as we make plans for Christmas Day I ask that you help to remind us that no matter who we are spending Christmas Day with that You would be with us.  If we are celebrating Christmas Day with family help us to put aside any family “politics”, help us to remember that those we celebrate the day with have also had their own personal battles this year even if we are unaware of them.  Guard our hearts from disappointments and offences if our expectations don’t meet reality, help us to see the good intentions rather than the bad.  For those who are going to be alone, through choice or circumstance, please be ever near with the comfort that only You can provide, please cover them in Your love, Your peace, Your presence. 

Let our words be those of response to people, not words which react to situations.  Remind us, in ways personal to each of us, that the true miracle of Christmas was that of Jesus’ birth, a baby who came to change the world and save mankind.  Help us remember that this was most perfect gift of all.  Let us keep our eyes fixed on You this Christmas Lord.

Amen