Two years ago I found and used this Christmas prayer written by Robert Louis Stephenson and I think I'll use it again this year. You normally equate Stephenson with that most wonderful of pirate adventure treasure Island but he also seems to have written for the advent season as well. The prayer picks up the joy of day, the wonder and amazing grace shown in Jesus Christ and a prayer for hope that this Christmas Good News will have an impact on the way we live our lives and treat each other. he even manages to add in a prayer that we may see the giving of gifts with a child-like-ness and at the end of a day with family and friends be reconciled and at peace with one another, an apt prayer when you think of the increase in domestic violence and relationship break ups that happen under the strain of western consumerism and expectations on this time.
Loving God, 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 the children,
and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
-- Robert Louis Stevenson
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