Christmas Prayers

As we begin the end-of-year festivities, I wish all my readers the merriest Christmas and happiest New Year.

The ancient Celtic Christians felt keenly the importance of beginnings and endings. “Thin times,” they called them, when the barrier between the physical world and the spiritual world were thinner than usual. Christmas, when God entered the world in a unique way. The end of the year, when the planet finished one cycle and began the next. These were sacred moments, and many of the prayers reflect these concepts. Here are three of you can use for these times.

I open the stable door; I kneel before the infant; I worship with the shepherds; I adore the Christ child. I give my love with Mary and Joseph; I wonder at the ‘Word made flesh’.

I am aware of the love of God: I sing glory with the angels; I offer my gifts with the wise men.

I receive the living Lord; I hold Him in my hands; I go on my way rejoicing, glorifying and praising God.

David Adam, Celtic Daily Prayer.

May God shower joy upon us, my dear family, Christmas brings us all good things. God give us grace to see the New Year; and if we do not increase in numbers may we at all events not decrease.

—A old Scottish blessing for Christmas and the New Year

May you be blessed
With the spirit of Itjhr season, which is peace,
The gladness of the season, which is hope,
And the heart of the season, which is love.

— Irish Christmas Blessing

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