Christmas is our most important holiday, and its literature is correspondingly rich. Yet until now no adequate bundle of Christmas treasures in poetry and prose has found its way onto the Internet for Winter, Christmas, the birth of Christ, Santa Claus, and so much more..Christmas Prayer
O Great and Eternal Father, our hearts well up with praise and thanksgiving as we approach the manger once again. Here in this child we see the hopes and dreams of all the years coming to fulfillment. Here in this simple cattle bam we see the sanctity of common things. We see, in this child of Mary, how far you did stoop in coming to earth to reveal yourself to us. We praise you, o God, for this glorious drama of your coming, and the blessed assurance that you do come still if our hearts are receptive. With the angels of old we would sing, “Glory to God in the highest!”
In your nearer presence, 0 Holy One, we are reminded of our unworthiness. We confess that our hearts are desolate because there has been no room for you; our eyes have been blind to the light which only you can give; our ears have failed to hear the music of Heaven. We have often missed the thrill of giving, simply because we have not received the Gift of gifts. We have put our trust in might instead of right. We have worshipped science, not the God of science. We have thirsted for knowledge, but we are still unwise. We have striven for things, but not for that Holy Thing which transforms life into a many-splendored thing. 0 God, forgive our cynicism and our pride. Banish our doubts, and warm our souls, that we might yet worthily praise and magnify your glorious name.
We give thanks, 0 Father, for all those men and women who, in years past, have led us to the manger, and who have helped us to return a different way. We thank you for those who now keep Christmas in Heaven, who have bestowed upon us so great a legacy of faith and love. We are grateful for every expression of kindness, and every word of encouragement along life’s pilgrimage.
O God, we praise you that the good news of Christmas is for all men. Help us therefore to speak your word of assurance to those who know not where to turn for help. Help us to comfort with your peace those who are burdened with bereavement. Enable us to hold high your light so that no little child will have cause to stumble in the darkness. Enable us to have a Christ-like compassion for all those who are poor and destitute. Be the friend to every lonely person, and help us to welcome the stranger within our gates.
Now, 0 God, let this day not pass ere we welcome the Savior into our hearts as the King of kings, and Lord of lords, This we pray in the name that is above every name, even Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen
