Christmas prayers are such a meaningful way for us to connect with the true heart of the season. Even the shortest prayer offers us a moment to pause and express our gratitude for the incredible gift of Christ’s birth—a moment that changed everything for us and for the world. As we gather with our loved ones, these prayers remind us to cherish the bonds of love and togetherness that make this season so special. Together, we can lift our hearts to God, celebrating His goodness and the joy of sharing this time with those who matter most.
During the modern Christmas holiday, there are many worldly distractions from the original meaning and reason for celebration: the birth of Jesus Christ. The busyness and stress of the holiday season end up crowing out the very peace and joy that is offered to us through Jesus Christ. Whether you are looking for a time of personal reflection, are at a family gathering, or preparing for a church service, we've written and collected some of our favorite Christmas prayers in this article to help guide your words during the festive season. Taking a moment to pray, read Christmas Bible verses, and sing Christmas hymns, whether with family or alone in quiet time, can help us refocus on the true meaning of Christmas.
“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” - Luke 2:14
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Take some time to reconnect with God and give thanks for our salvation in Christ with these powerful prayers for the holiday season. Christmas prayers, whether you traditionally say a prayer on Christmas Eve or while sitting around the Christmas Day meal, inspire everyone to give thanks and rejoice.
25 Christmas Prayers to Use this Holiday Season
Take some time to reconnect with God and give thanks for our salvation in Christ with these powerful Christmas prayers. These Christmas prayers, whether you traditionally say a prayer on Christmas Eve or while sitting around the Christmas Day meal, will inspire everyone present to give thanks and rejoice. Here we have gathered some of our favorite prayers for the Christmas season. May these words fill your mind, heart, and spirit with joy and gratitude!
Short Prayer of Christmas Thanks
Thank you, God for sending Your Son on one glorious night to be born a virgin, to live a perfect life, and to die on the cross for my sins. Thank you that he rose from the dead three days later and that this Christmas and every Christmas we can celebrate the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Christmas Eve 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. - Robert Louis Stevenson
Prayer for Christmas Dinner
Dear God, we give thanks for this time when we can all be together. We give thanks for this food and the hands that helped prepare it. We give thanks for this joyful holiday when we celebrate our Savior and His love for us. With joy, we pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
Christmas Day Prayer
O Lord Jesus Christ, true God from true God, you became a little child for us so the world you made would be saved. Just as a child is born to us and a Son is given to us, may we be born again through you and always remain in the number of God’s faithful children; through your merits, O blessed Savior, with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Source: Rev. Chas. R. Halle, New York, 1881
The Christmas Prayer of Pope John XXII
O sweet Child of Bethlehem, grant that we may share with all our hearts in this profound mystery of Christmas. Put into the hearts of men and women this peace for which they sometimes seek so desperately and which you alone can give to them. Help them to know one another better and to live as brothers and sisters, children of the same Father. Reveal to them also your beauty, holiness, and purity. Awaken in their hearts, love and gratitude for your infinite goodness. Join them all together in your love. And give us your heavenly peace. Amen. - Pope John XXIII
Prayer for Christmas Peace and Hope
Heavenly Father, As Christmas approaches, turn our hearts toward You. Help us not to get swept up in the busyness of the season and miss the beauty of what we are truly celebrating. Lord, quiet our souls and remind us of the gifts You sent that first Christmas—hope, peace, joy, and love—wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a humble manger.
Thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus, our Savior, and for the hope He brings to a weary world. Fill our hearts with Your peace and help us share that peace with others this season. May we pause often to reflect on Your immeasurable love and grace.
Lord, I set my heart on You. You are trustworthy, faithful and the Giver of the gift of peace. Please fill me this Christmas season. As others see Your peace in me, let them recognize You as Savior. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Christmas Prayer of St. Augustine of Hippo
Let the just rejoice, for their justifier is born.
Let the sick and infirm rejoice, for their savior is born.
Let the captives rejoice, for their Redeemer is born.
Let slaves rejoice, for their Master is born.
Let free men rejoice, for their Liberator is born.
Let All Christians rejoice, for Jesus Christ is born.
A Merry Christmas Prayer
Lord, we ask You to grant us peace. Peace in our homes, peace in our churches, and peace in our hearts, especially when it feels like the world all around us spins out of control.
Help us stay focused on You this Christmastime and always. Thank You for loving the whole world enough to send the greatest gift, Your Son, so we might truly have a very merry Christmas, even in a not-so-merry kind of world. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
A Christmas Carol to Pray
Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.
"Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus" by Charles Wesley
A Christmas Blessing of Well Wishes
May you be filled with the wonder of Mary, the obedience of Joseph, the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the determination of the magi, and the peace of the Christ child. Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit bless you now and forever.
A Christmas Tree Prayer
Lord, today, as we put up this Christmas tree in our home, we pause as a family to celebrate You—Your birth, Your life, and the hope You bring to the world. Thank You for coming to earth as a baby, humbly laid in a manger, yet bringing light and salvation to all who would believe. As we decorate this tree, may each ornament remind us of the joy, love, and peace You give. Let the lights shining brightly remind us that You are the Light of the World, shining into the darkness and guiding us with Your truth. Lord, we thank You for this season of Christmas, a time to celebrate the greatest gift ever given—Your presence among us. Help us, as a family, to reflect Your love to others, to be patient and kind, and to cherish these moments together. May this tree not just be a decoration in our home but a symbol of the everlasting life and hope we have through You. Help us to remember, in the midst of all the busyness, that You are the reason we celebrate. May every day be a reflection of Your grace, and may we shine Your light wherever we go. We love You, Jesus, and we thank You for being with us. In Your precious name, we pray. Amen.
Christmas Communion Prayer
O merciful God, open the depths of our souls that we may receive the immortality of our spirits through the new birth of your Son by the power of his body and precious blood; for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Source: Wilehelm Loehe, 1844
Christmas Church Service Prayer
Heavenly Father, We come before You with joy and gratitude as we celebrate the birth of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you for our church and for those who gather with us. Thank You for the gift of Christmas, where light broke into darkness and hope entered the world through our Savior’s humble birth. Lord, fill this place with Your presence. May our worship, prayers, and the message shared today bring glory to You. Bless those who have come into the church to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. Open our hearts to the wonder of this holy day, and remind us of the peace and joy found in Jesus. We lift up those who are hurting, lonely, or in need this Christmas. May they feel Your love and the hope of Christ. Help us to share that love with others, reflecting the light of Jesus wherever we go. Thank You, Lord, for being Emmanuel—God with us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Prayer to Re-focus During the Holiday Season
Dear God, sometimes I get too caught up in Christmas commercialism. OK, a lot of times. Today, I’m going to refocus my heart and remember why I’m celebrating this wonderful day in the first place. I’m celebrating Jesus today…and every day! In Jesus’ name, Amen. ~ Sharon Jaynes
The Wonder of Christmas
Father, it wasn’t with bad intentions initially that Christmas celebrations grew way beyond Who and have now made us weary. Renew in our hearts the wonder and awe of the miracles of the Gift of Christmas. Not only us, Lord, but let our new found wonder spread to our families and our friends. Let us come together to celebrate You and leave behind the fuss. In Jesus’ Name, Amen - Paris Renae
Christmas Prayer
Lord God, heavenly Father, we give thanks that in your great mercy and compassion you allowed your dear Son to become incarnate and through him redeemed us from sin and eternal death. Enlighten our hearts by your Holy Spirit that we may always be thankful for such grace and be comforted in all trouble and temptation, and at last, obtain eternal salvation; through your beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one true God, now and forever. Amen.
Source: Veit Dietrich
Opening Prayer for Christmas Party or Gathering
Heavenly Father, We come before You with joyful hearts as we gather to celebrate this special season of Christmas. Thank You for bringing us together to share in the blessings of fellowship, love, and laughter. Today, we celebrate the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who brings hope, peace, and salvation to the world. Lord, we ask that You bless this time together. Fill this place with Your presence and let joy overflow in our hearts. May our conversations be warm, our laughter be sweet, and the fun we share remind us of the joy that comes from You. Help us to cherish these moments of friendship and connection as we celebrate Your goodness in our lives. Bless the food we are about to enjoy and the hands that prepared it. May this gathering reflect the love and unity You desire for us all, and may the spirit of Christmas remain with us long after this time together. We give You all the glory and praise. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray, Amen.
Christmas Acclamation
Praise and adoration be to our God, for he is good. His grace and mercy fill the heavens and earth. Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving and joyfully praise our creator. As a father, he loves us, his children. Sing his praises with joyful thanks in love and devotion! Let us love him who has loved us since the world began. Who would not love God from the heart? We can not give him adequate praise. Still, in heaven he receives with goodwill our joyful songs of praise and pours much joy into our souls, whenever we thank him, whenever we live in him.
Sing to Jesus Christ praise, thanks and glory, for he came from heaven to destroy sin and death for us and by his precious, willing sacrifice, restored innocence and peace. Already here on earth he renews joy and life to us by his grace. Still greater bliss is prepared there for those who love him when one day they will be renewed in his image, made new and holy, and awakened from death. Let us rejoice in our holy God! Let us rejoice in our eternal God! How blessed it is to praise him here, and then in heaven. He is our holiness! He is our life! He always loves us, his children.
Source: Schleswig-Hosteinsche Kirchen-Agende, 1797
Prayer for the Love of Jesus
Ah! Sweet Jesus, pierce the marrow of my soul with the healthful arrows of your love, that it may truly burn, and melt, and languish, with the desire for you alone; that it may desire to be dissolved and to be with you; let it hunger alone for the bread of life; let it thirst after you, the spring and fountain of eternal light, the stream of true pleasure; let it always desire you, seek you, and find you, and sweetly rest in you. Amen.
Source: Bonaventura, d. 1274, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.
A Christmas Prayer to Include Jesus
Dear Lord, too many times I have excluded You from my Christmas and been satisfied with presents and stuff. Let me not be content until I experience the gift of You in my heart. Cause me to see You as the ultimate Gift. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
To You, O Jesus
To you, O Jesus, I direct my eyes; to you my hands, to you my humble knees; to you my heart shall offer sacrifice; to you my thoughts, who my thoughts only see; to you myself–myself and all I give;
to you I die; to you I only live.
Source: Sir Walter Raleigh
Happy Birthday Jesus
Father, today I celebrate the reality of Your presence in my life. I celebrate Your birth, Your life, Your death, and Your resurrection. And as I celebrate, Lord, help me to be "God with skin on" to those in need around me. Open my eyes and let me see them as You see them! I love You. Happy birthday Jesus! In Jesus' name, Amen. ~ Mary Southerland, Girlfriends in God
A Prayer for Those Feeling Loss at Christmas
Dear Heavenly Father, though Christmas is sometimes hard because we miss the ones we love help me remember the gift You gave - Your Son, Jesus, a baby born to die. Thank You for this gift of love, help me receive it. In times of grief and sadness, remind me of the reason and fill me with Your Peace.
Mighty God, I ask You for the power to press on and Everlasting Father, I thank You for carrying me when it’s hard to walk.
Wonderful Counselor, I pray You’d fill my mind with wisdom and may the Prince of Peace rule my heart. This Christmas help me remember it’s not about the people I celebrate with, but the One we celebrate! In Jesus’ Name, Amen. - Jill Beran
The Christmas Present of Joy
Dear Lord, Thank You for Your gift of true love. Teach me how to unwrap the joy of Your presence at Christmastime and always. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Additional Christmas Blessings
Christmas is a time to reflect on the incredible gift of Jesus Christ and to share His love and joy with those around us. As we celebrate His birth, simple blessings can remind us of the peace, hope, and light He brings into our lives. Whether you’re looking for words to include in a prayer, a Christmas card, or a heartfelt conversation, here are 10 short Christmas blessings to inspire and encourage you this holiday season.
- "May the joy of the angels, the peace of the shepherds, and the love of the Christ-child fill your heart this Christmas."
- "As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, may His light guide your path and His love fill your home."
- "May this Christmas bring you closer to the heart of Christ and deeper into His love."
- "May the gift of God’s Son bring you hope, peace, and joy that lasts throughout the year."
- "This Christmas, may you experience the wonder of God’s love and the beauty of His promises fulfilled."
- "May the miracle of Christ’s birth renew your spirit and fill your heart with gratitude."
- "May the Prince of Peace fill your life with calm assurance and the joy of His salvation this Christmas."
- "As you celebrate the birth of our Savior, may you be reminded of His unfailing love and abundant grace."
- "May the star that led the wise men to Jesus lead you to His presence this Christmas and always."
- "Wishing you a season of reflection, joy, and blessings as we remember the greatest gift ever given—Jesus Christ."
Sources
Christmas - A Collection of Prayers ~ acollectionofprayers.com
12 Christmas Prayers - Experience Joy and Family Happiness This Holiday ~ crosswalk.com
Photo: ©GettyImages/fermate
This article is part of our larger Christmas and Advent resource library centered around the events leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ. We hope these articles help you understand the meaning and story behind important Christian holidays and dates and encourage you as you take time to reflect on all that God has done for us through His Son, Jesus Christ!
What Is Advent: Meaning, History, and Traditions
Advent Prayers for Friends, Family, and More
What Is an Advent Wreath and How to Use One?
The History of Santa Claus: Origin of St. Nicholas
Christmas Bible Verses & Scripture Story
What is Christmas? True Meaning and Holiday History
Christmas Eve History and Traditions
Why Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh?
When Was Jesus Born? Why December 25th
Where Was Jesus Born?
