Prayers: Christmas Day
Heavenly Father, we thank you for this Christmas Day.
As we celebrate the Light coming into the world,
may we find space in our busy lives to put aside the tinsel and the turkey,
and rejoice in the most precious of gifts - the arrival of the baby Jesus in Bethlehem.
As we read the words of the prophets, and tell the stories of Mary and Joseph,
the shepherds, the angels, and the Magi,
may we put ourselves back in that time and place,
welcoming the Saviour of the world, expectant and hopeful of all that He will bring.
Help us to share this joyous day with others,
and be close to those who may find this time of year difficult
that we may always embrace your never-ending love,
that gives us hope and reaffirms our faith. Amen.
Lighting of the Candles (Set I)
Eternal God,
as we greet the birth of Christ with joy
we light a candle
to illuminate our hearts
and express our overflowing joy
so that he who is born of Mary this day,
may see us gathered to greet him
and ready to attend to him, the Light of the world,
for he is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.
Lighting of the Candles (Set II)
Lord Jesus,
you have born into this world
and we welcome you into our hearts.
May the light of your love
bring shining peace and brilliant joy
to everyone on earth,
for you are Lord, for ever and ever. Amen.
God of the Universe,
we join with the angels and shepherds
in giving you thanks and praise for the birth of Jesus.
In the midst of our joy we remember those
who are apart from their loved ones,
those for whom Christmas is tinged with sadness and pain,
the homeless and lonely.
Embrace them with your loving Spirit. Amen.
Collect 11
In the Day
Almighty God,
you have given us your only-begotten Son
to take our nature upon him
and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin:
grant that we, who have been born again
and made your children by adoption and grace,
may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit:
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
At Night
Eternal God,
who made this most holy night
to shine with the brightness of your one true light:
bring us, who have known the revelation of that light on earth,
to see the radiance of your heavenly glory;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Post Communion Prayer 12
In the Day
God our Father,
whose Word has come among us
in the Holy Child of Bethlehem:
may the light of faith illumine our hearts
and shine in our words and deeds;
through him who is Christ the Lord.
At Night
God our Father,
in this night you have made known to us again
the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
confirm our faith and fix our eyes on him
until the day dawns
and Christ the Morning Star rises in our hearts.
To him be glory both now and for ever.