Christmas can be a busy and demanding time. Find a moment each day to be quiet and still. Sit comfortably and still your mind and heart. If you can, have a picture of the nativity or a crib scene in your hand. Pray the Lord’s Prayer slowly and carefully reflecting on each line:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your name
Jesus, the Son of God, invites us to call God our Father. Jesus is our brother. Almighty God, maker of heaven and earth has become a child to live among us.
Draw near to me Lord in your love this day.
Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven
The child in the manger is God’s chosen and anointed king, the Christ.
His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom of justice and peace. His reign has begun but is not yet fulfilled. Christ will return to make all things new.
Bring peace and justice to this world, Lord we pray
Give us this day our daily bread
Jesus is the bread of life. In him all of our hungers are satisfied.
In this season we take time to thank God for the good gifts we have been given each day. We set our hearts against greed.
We pray Lord for all those who lack food, shelter and warmth this Christmas and those who help them, here and across the world.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us
Mary’s son will grow to live a life without sin. Jesus will offer his life on the cross so that we might be forgiven and reconciled to God and to others. God will raise him from death.
Help us, Lord, to seek and to offer forgiveness in every part of our lives
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil
From his birth to his passion and death, Jesus knew sorrow, hardship and trials of every kind and is able to strengthen us in whatever we are facing.
Lord send your grace and help this day to all those passing through testing, temptation or hardship.
For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory
For ever and ever. Amen.
Here in the Christ child is a glory and a power greater than any ever seen on earth: the power of love and humility and holiness combine.
May we live this day, Lord, to your glory. Amen.
