Prayer before Christmas Dinner

God of all gifts, we thank you for the many ways you have blessed us this day. We are grateful each of those who are gathered around this table. We ask you to bless us and our food and to bless those we love who are not with us today. In our gratitude and love, we remember your humble birth into our lives and pray for those who are without enough to eat. We remember the stable in which you were born and pray for those who have no place to live. We remember your challenging message of caring and giving and we pray for peace in families and nations throughout the world. We bless you and give you thanks in your Spirit who brings our hearts to life the Christmas Day and forever. Amen.

A Christmas Prayer

Loving Father,
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.

A CHILD's PRAYER

O Almighty God, 
who hast given unto me my father and mother, 
and made them to be an image of Thine authority, 
and love, and tender watchfulness; 
and hast commanded me to love, and honour, 
and obey them in all things: 
give me grace cheerfully and with my whole heart 
to keep this Thy law. 
Help me to love them fervently, 
to honour them truly, 
to yield a ready obedience to their commands, 
to comply with their wishes, 
to study their happiness in everything, 
and to bear their rebukes with patience and humility. 
Deliver me O God, from pride, 
rebellion and wilfulness, 
from passion and stubbornness, 
from sloth and carelessness. 
Make me diligent in all my duties and studies, 
and patient in all my trials; 
that so living, I may deserve to be Thy child, 
who art our Father in Heaven.

Amen.

Lamb of God

Lamb of God, 
Who takest away the sins of the world, 
grant them rest.

Lamb of God, 
Who takest away the sins of the world, 
grant them rest.

Lamb of God, 
Who takest away the sins of the world, 
grant them eternal rest.