6 Joyful Prayers to Say on Christmas Morning
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For kids, there is one thought that awakens them on Christmas morning: presents. They bound out of bed and inform the entire household that the day has finally arrived. Only the command from their parents keeps them restrained from tearing into the gifts as soon as they spot the packages under the tree.
We all have our memories of exciting Christmas mornings as children. The whispers with siblings about what Santa might have left. The anticipation bubbling up into jumps and squeals of delight. Or the loud “wake up” greeting that we gave our parents to remind them of the holiday (as if they could have forgotten).
But what if we could add to these memories and create a tradition of families and friends praying together on Christmas morning before the wrapping paper starts flying? To sit amid loved ones and worship the One who is the focus of this holiday. Our eyes will be turned to the Light that makes the day possible, with our hearts re-centered on the love of our great God and Savior. When we pray, we make room for Jesus to come into our celebrations.
So, after the kids have hopped around and tugged at parents’ arms, grandparents and neighbors have arrived for breakfast, and the presents await opening, let us make an intention to pray. The following five Christmas morning prayers give us some ideas and places to start.
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1. A Prayer of Praise for the King
The wonderful news of Christmas is that the Savior, the promised King in the line of David, came. As Gabriel the angel told Mary: “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end” (Luke 1:32-33). That is why the wise men traveled so far to see Jesus; they understood from their careful research that a King had been born (Matthew 2:2).
Jesus is no ordinary ruler. He is not like the authorities of this world who lord themselves over others or use people to achieve their goals. Christ is the King of kings and Lord of lords who came into the world as a humble infant. He did not seek to be served as royalty, but to serve by giving His life to save humankind (Matthew 20:28). Though He could have forced us to love Him as our great Savior and Lord, He wooed us gently with the demonstration of His love by dying in our place on a cross (Romans 5:8).
On this day, we can join our voices with the heavenly choir: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain [to] receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5:12).
Jesus, our Savior,
We remember Your coming into the world today. You were born to a lowly virgin in an overlooked city and placed in a manger. How amazing that the great God who created all things entered our world as a baby to live among us. And though You came in humbleness, You are the promised King of whom the prophets spoke. You are King and Lord even as we await Your return when Your Kingdom will be fully established and never end. We praise You this Christmas morning! Come Lord Jesus.
Amen.
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2. A Prayer of Gratitude for the Gift of Jesus
The best gift we can imagine cannot compare with what the Father gave us that first Christmas. Wrapped in swaddling clothes, not patterned paper, was the incarnate Son of God (Luke 2:7). His birth marked a time of God breaking into history to live as a human and to save us from the curse of sin. In Jesus, we receive the priceless gift of salvation.
Thanksgiving should fill our hearts whenever we think about what Jesus’ coming meant. Those who trust in Him are set free from the bondage of sin and death. We will live with the Lord forever, even when we die (John 11:25). And we have the promise of living on a restored earth in resurrected bodies. All the suffering and challenges we face now cannot compare to the future that God has planned for us in eternity (1 Corinthians 2:9).
With the visual reminders of prettily wrapped presents and festive stockings, we can give thanks to the Father for giving us the greatest Christmas gift. We did nothing to deserve His love or to merit such blessings. But in Jesus, we have all we need and more.
Giver of every good and perfect gift,
Thank You for sending Your one and only Son to save us. Because of Your love, You rescued us even while we were still living in rebellion against You. We praise You that we have new life and that we will forever dwell with You. The riches You have given us in Christ are more than we deserve. May we regularly pause in our celebrations today to remember this perfect present – one that has no equal. And help us to share the gift of Your love with others, declaring the truth that on that first Christmas we received Immanuel, God with us. In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.
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3. A Prayer for Boldness to Share the Good News
After shepherds had seen the newborn King, they could not help but tell everyone they knew what happened (Luke 2:17). They informed the people of the message they heard from the angels and spread the good news: Christ the Savior is born (Luke 2:10). Hope had finally come after long years of waiting.
Likewise, the prophet Anna could not keep the wonderful encounter she had with the Messiah to herself. After seeing the infant when Mary and Joseph presented him to the temple, she “spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38). She served as a witness to the fulfillment of prophecy, that the Savior had come.
What better day is there to share the good news with someone than on Christmas? The holiday lends itself to discussions about Jesus’ birth in a manger and the significance of His coming. We can encourage one another to speak joyously about the Messiah and seek God’s help to be bold in sharing the gospel. Like Anna and the shepherds, the news of what Jesus did is too good not to tell.
Lord God,
We rejoice at the angel’s declaration to the shepherds for You, Jesus, had come as promised. And we marvel along with Anna at Your coming. You are the Savior that Israel long sought, and which all people need. This Christmas, may we follow their example in telling others about the glory of Your coming. Grant us boldness in our discussions with others today, to be unashamed in our proclamation of the great King who entered our world as a humble baby. Alongside our boldness, give us greater love for those around us. May others see the love that You poured into us that they may yearn for the gift that only You can give.
Amen.
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4. A Prayer to Show Compassion That Mirrors the Love of God
When I was growing up, there was a neighbor who would visit homes on Christmas with a large sack. In this Santa Claus-style bag there were numerous stuffed animals for children to choose from as a gift. My sisters and I would rummage through the options until we spotted a bear or other animal that we liked. At the time, all I thought about was the fun of receiving a new toy. But now that I’m older, I appreciate the neighbor’s effort and care. He was skilled at crane machine games and so had won many prizes – prizes that he chose to give away to bring holiday cheer.
Giving and engaging in acts of compassion are central themes of Christmas. As it is, God the Father gave us His Son so we could receive eternal life (John 3:16). We walk in the footsteps of our Lord when we willingly share our lives with others. For some, that might look like toting a large bag of toys to neighborhood kids or those at a children’s hospital. A family could decide to invite elderly and lonely members of their church to celebrate with them. Or an individual may decide to spend their Christmas serving those in need. There are many ways we can join in God’s plan by showing kindness and compassion to others.
On this Christmas morning, then, we can invite the Lord to guide us in sharing our lives with others, today and onward. As we do, we will find that Jesus’ words are true: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
O God,
As I consider all the blessings You have given me, nothing compares with the gift of Your Son. Thank You for the riches of Your grace and the treasure of knowing You. Lord, You are the compassionate and gracious God, abounding in love. As I worship You today, guide me to opportunities where I can use my life to bless others with the love You give freely. May every present I see remind me of Your instruction to give from myself to those around me, especially to those who are most in need and vulnerable. And may this Christmas spirit of giving never cease within me but continue throughout the year for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Amen.
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5. A Prayer to Worship the Sun of Righteousness
Regardless of the weather on Christmas morning, the sun rose even if we did not see it. But a greater Light dawned at the birth of the baby in Bethlehem some two thousand years ago – the source of life that is the Light of humankind (John 1:4). Unlike clouds of rain and snow, no amount of darkness could shroud this dawn.
Malachi prophesied that “the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings” (Malachi 4:2). Alluding to these words, Zechariah praised the Lord in his song for the rising Sun that was coming to “shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace” (Luke 1:79). Jesus’ birth marked the beginning of hope. No longer would sin, death, the devil, and disease win. On that Christmas came the great Sun of Righteousness who would heal us of the curse of sin, and who will soon return to bring that healing to fulfillment with the renewal of earth and the resurrection of our bodies.
Even if our lives do not look like a bright, clear day, but are covered with the clouds of sorrow or doubt, there is still hope. The Light of the world has come, and the light He offers can never be extinguished.
Jesus, the Sun of Righteousness,
This Christmas morning we praise You. As beautiful as the sunlight is in all its many forms, it cannot compare with Your majesty. Though we walk by daylight, we live in You who is the very Light of life. And whereas we savor the temporary warmth of the sun, the healing You bring in Your wings is everlasting. Shine now in our lives, Light of the World, and turn our darkness into light. For both of Your advents are our hope, and we praise You even as we long for You, the Dawn and Sun of Righteousness, to return.
Amen.
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