Christmas Prayer

God, Our Father,  you care for all your people.
We thank you for all your gifts of love.

We thank you most of all for the birth of your Son, Jesus.
May His birth inspire us all with the memory of His love.
May it brighten the hearts of your people and help lighten our burdens.

You have already done so much for us; May the memory of this open
our hearts to all the great things you still want to do for us. May there
always be room in our hearts for Jesus, and all our brothers and
sisters in need. Bless us with the peace the angels announced.

Teach us to recognise your Son as the shepherds did.
May the light of your word guide us to him,
as the star guided the wise men;
May we be generous as the wise men were generous.
Teach us to ponder all these things in our hearts as Mary did.
May the solid, supportive presence of Joseph
guide us when we are in turmoil.

May we welcome Christ, the light of the world
and share his light withall we meet and think of.  Amen.