Christmas (Nativity of the Lord) Prayer

Loving God, Help us remember the birth of Jesus, 

that we may share in the song of the angels, 

the gladness of the shepherds, 

and worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate

and open the door of love all over the world. 

Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. 

Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings,

and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children,

and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, 

forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake.

Amen.

~ Robert Louis Stevenson ~

Christmas Prayer for those in sorrow of the recent death of a loved one

God of compassion, there is such a hole in my heart! Today should be a day of joy, but I feel only emptiness and loss. While the world celebrates around me, I remember Christmas celebrations of the past and I long to have my loved one with me. I bring my sorrows to you, Lord, like some odd gift of the magi and dump them at your feet. In my blind tears I wonder if anyone can possibly understand the depth of my sadness.

I know, you can. You sent your son to be with us in our deepest sorrows and I know that even though I might not feel it now, you are here with me, grieving with me, caring for me in my sadness. Dearest lord, help me to turn to the one I miss so much today and speak. Help me heal the loss of our parting and help me not to regret the things I didn't say. Sorrow tears at my heart, but today I ask that my loss soften my heart and make me more compassionate with everyone I meet, so that my loss may become a gift to others.. Amen.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

~ Matthew 5:4 ~

Thank you, Lord, for the loved one you blessed my life with. Grant me now in my grief, a peace. Give me a comfort that might not make the tears go away, but that lets me feel your presence as you take up a place deep in my heart, with me.

Christmas Tree Blessing Prayer

Holy Creator of Trees,

bless with your abundant grace

this our Christmas tree as a symbol of joy.

May its evergreen branches be a sign

of your never-fading promises.

May its colorful lights and ornaments call us

to decorate with love our home and our world.

May the gifts that surround this tree

be symbols of the gifts we have received

from the Tree of Christ�s Cross.

Holy Christmas tree within our home,

may Joy and Peace come and nest 

in your branches and in our hearts. 

Amen.

~ Author Unknown ~

Merry Christmas 2015 to All

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�Jesus is the Reason for this Christmas Season�

�Behold... 

I bring you good tidings of great joy.� 

~ Luke 2:10 ~

Today in the town of David 

a Savior has been born to you: 

he is Christ the Lord. 

~ Luke 2:11 ~

And suddenly there was the angel, 

a multitude of the heavenly host, 

praising God and saying: 

�Glory to God in the highest.� 

~ Luke 2:13 ~

�She shall bring forth a son, 

and thou shall call His name Jesus; 

for He shall save 

His people from their sins.� 

~ Matthew 1:21

May the Christmas season 

fill your home with Joy, 

your heart with Love 

and your life with Peace.

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Hope, Peace, Joy and Love this Christmas Season

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HOPE

1 Peter 1:3-5

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and to an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God�s power are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

PEACE

1 Peter 3:10-12

For �He that would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile; let him turn away from evil and do right;let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those that do evil.�

JOY

1 Peter 1:6-9

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Without having seen him you love him; though you do not now see him you believe in him and rejoice with unutterable and exalted joy. As the outcome of your faith you obtain the salvation of your souls.

LOVE

1 Peter 1:22-23

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brethren, love one another earnestly from the heart. You have been born anew, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;