A Christmas Prayer

A Christmas Prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we settle our hearts before you on this glorious night, surrounded by the twinkling of lights and magic of Christmas, we are filled with a profound sense of awe and wonder. The stillness and peace is present in the very air we breathe as we wait to welcome that sweet baby - the Savior of the World. And yet as we wait for the miracle of Christmas in the peace that surrounds us, we are acutely aware of the pain that shadows the hearts of those around us. Those whose tears fall silently in the night and whose spirits are broken and crushed. In the midst of the world's chaos, it feels as if we are carrying the weight of the world and its just too heavy to bear.

Jesus, draw near. In the silence of this Holy Night, in this Holy Place, we are reminded of the profound miracle of Christmas. Jesus, you are no stranger to pain. And you are certainly no stranger to our pain. You were born in a manger, lived a perfect life, and gave your life on that cross. For us. All for us. To redeem our hearts. To take our pain on your shoulders and replace that weight with the most beautiful peace. The peace that leaves us speechless. Your arrival on this very night is a light to us in our darkest hour. You bring boundless love - so vast and unconditional that it transcends all pain and suffering. 

So Jesus in this very moment, would you come and heal the brokenhearted? Would you sit with us as we navigate loss, or illness, or grief, or loneliness? Would you walk with us and guide us when the road ahead seems so unclear and the obstacles too great to navigate on our own. Jesus, tonight we celebrate that you changed everything. And you continue to change everything. You change our grief to joy. Our sorrows into dancing. Our restless hearts into hearts filled with peace. In the midst of it all, let us hold tight to the hope and promise of Christmas. That you came to earth to be with us. To save us. To love us. It all started with a baby. Tonight we come to you with joyful anticipation. That with the hope of Christmas, grace and mercy would abound. That your love would illuminate our path and fill us with the magic and wonder that Christmas brings. Jesus, to you be the glory!