Pope John XXIII’s Christmas Prayer
O sweet Child of Bethlehem,
grant that we may share with all our hearts
in this profound mystery of Christmas.
Put into the hearts of men and women this peace
for which they sometimes seek so desperately
and which you alone can give to them.
Help them to know one another better,
and to live as brothers and sisters,
children of the same Father.
Reveal to them also your beauty, holiness, and purity.
Awaken in their hearts
love and gratitude for your infinite goodness.
Join them all together in your love.
And give us your heavenly peace.
Amen.
St. Augustine’s Christmas Prayer
“Let the just rejoice, for their justifier is born. Let the sick and infirm rejoice, for their Savior 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. Amen.”
Prayer to Jesus in the Manger
O divine redeemer Jesus Christ, prostrate before thy crib, I believe thou art the God of infinite majesty, even though I do see thee here as a helpless babe. I humbly adore and thank thee for having so humbled thyself for my salvation as to will to be born in a stable. I thank thee for all thou didst wish to suffer for me in Bethlehem, for thy poverty and humility, for thy nakedness, tears, cold, and sufferings.
Would that I could show thee that tenderness which thy virgin mother had toward thee, and love thee as she did. Would that I could praise thee with the joy of the angels, that I could kneel before thee with the faith of St. Joseph, the simplicity of the shepherds. Uniting myself with these first adorers at the crib, I offer thee the homage of my heart, and I beg that thou wouldst be born spiritually in my soul. Make me reflect in some degree the virtues of thy admirable nativity. Fill me with that spirit of renunciation, of poverty, of humility, which prompted thee to assume the weakness of our nature, and to be born amid destitution and suffering. Grant that from this day forward, I may in all things seek thy greater glory, and may enjoy that peace promised to men of goodwill.
Amen.
In This Holy Season
Lord, in this holy season of prayer and song and laughter, we praise you for the great wonders you have sent us: for shining star and angel’s song, for infant’s cry in a lowly manger. We praise you for the Word made flesh in a little Child. We behold his glory and are bathed in its radiance.
Be with us as we sing the ironies of Christmas, the incomprehensible comprehended, the poetry made hard fact, the helpless Babe who cracks the world asunder. We kneel before you shepherds, innkeepers, wise men. Help us to rise bigger than we are. Amen.
Prayer Before a Nativity Scene
“All-powerful God,
Your eternal Word took flesh on our earth
when the Virgin Mary placed her life
at the service of Your plan.
Lift our minds in watchful hope
to hear the voice which announces His glory
and open our minds to receive the Spirit
who prepares us for His coming.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.”
Prayer for Christmas Day
“Lord God, let Your blessing come upon us
as we light the candles of this wreath.
May the wreath and its light
be a sign of Christ’s promise of salvation.
May He come quickly and not delay.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.”
Christmas Evening Prayer
“O holy Child of Bethlehem,
descend to us, we pray;
cast out our sin, and enter in,
be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
our Lord Emmanuel!”
Amen.
St. Francis of Assisi’s Christmas Prayer
O most holy Virgin Mary,
your appearance at Greccio
brought joy to the hearts of the faithful,
as you showed them your Divine Son
lying in a manger.
By your intercession,
may we seek humility,
and be filled with a deep love
for the poverty of Christ,
who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
This prayer encapsulates St. Francis’ deep reverence for humility and poverty in the birth of Christ, inviting us to reflect on the true essence and significance of Christmas.
