Prayers for Christmas

There’s something special about Christmas morning. Kids squeal in delight upon opening gifts. You linger in your pajamas just a bit longer, anticipating a busy day and a full heart. Breakfast crackles in the pan. You begin to smell the bacon. Your coffee mug is warm in your hand. You close your eyes and check in with your heart. You take an internal temperature of sorts. What are you feeling? Gratitude? Joy? Exhaustion? Distraction? Sadness?   

The wonder and excitement of Christmas amplify our feelings—joy feels exuberant, sorrow feels like emptiness. Yet no matter the scope of our feelings this holiday season, we celebrate this one central truth: God kept His promise to bring us a Savior—the baby, born in a manger, in whom we rejoice each Christmas. And because Jesus came and died for our sins, our slates are wiped clean and we are adopted into the family of God. We can bring our feelings—big, small, or in between—right to our Father’s throne, confident that He is listening. Take time today to remember that the greatest gift is God’s presence—here with you right now.  

As you come before the Lord this Christmas, here are a few prayers written to guide you through common feelings you may be experiencing this Christmas. 

A Prayer of Gratitude 

“I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” 

Ephesians 3:17–19 

Author of Christmas, 

I come before You, not to ask You for gifts or to request your intervention, but simply to say thank You.  

I know there are not enough words, nor enough gifts, to properly adorn You with praise. Even so, I bring You my humble gratitude. Thank You, Father, for sending Your Son. He—through whom the world was made—was knit together in a womb, just as I was. He, who commands Heaven’s armies, was a swaddled baby in a manger. Jesus, the Light of the World, entered into our darkness—and conquered it. This Christmas and every day to come, I have hope because of the faithful love professed from the manger. Thank You, God of Glory, for loving me with a love I could never earn. Help me to understand more and more, the length, width, height, and depth of this love. Help me to rest in this love today and carry this gratitude beyond Christmas, into the new year.  

Thank You, Father. Thank You.  

Amen. 

A Prayer For Those Exhausted By Christmas  

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Matthew 11:28–30 

Heavenly Father, 

I confess to You today that I am exhausted. Between the holiday shopping, the events, and the preparation, Christmas feels more like a chore than a celebration. Father, attune my heart to the real reason we celebrate. Turn my attention from the work to the wonder—from the mess to the manger. Here, I find my example. Jesus is the King who stooped to serve—the Wonderful Counselor who endured the cross. Christ, Savior and Friend, understands the exhaustion I feel because He carried the burdens of this world—even mine. Today, I accept Your invitation to come, for I am weak and burdened this Christmas season. You, who are lowly and humble in heart, lead me to rest for my soul.  

Help me to find joy and rejuvenation in the true meaning of Christmas. I love You, Lord. 

  
Amen.