Faith & Life / Prayers for the Day
Quick Summary
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are the most prayed-over days of the Christian year. Candlelight services, family dinners, children reading the Christmas story by the tree: all of it is a way of saying thank you for the gift of Jesus. "To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord" (Luke 2:11).
This page gives you Christmas Eve prayers and Christmas prayers for every part of the holiday. You'll find a candlelight prayer, a Christmas Eve family prayer, short Christmas prayers, Christmas dinner prayers, a Christmas morning prayer, prayers for your family, Christmas blessings, a prayer for a hard Christmas, prayers for children, a Christmas night prayer, and the best Bible verses for Christmas.
Have a Merry Christmas!
Bible Verses for Christmas
| Verse | Reference |
|---|---|
| A great light | Isaiah 9:2 |
| A child has been born | Isaiah 9:6 |
| God is with us | Matthew 1:23 |
| Laid in a manger | Luke 2:7 |
| A Savior is born | Luke 2:11 |
| Glory to God | Luke 2:14 |
| Light in the darkness | John 1:5 |
| The Word became flesh | John 1:14 |
| His indescribable gift | 2 Corinthians 9:15 |
Scripture references from the New Revised Standard Version.
Christmas Eve Prayers
Christmas Eve is a night of waiting and wonder. The long season of Advent ends, the candles are lit, and the church sings "Silent Night" in the dark. The prophet Isaiah described this night centuries before it came: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light" (Isaiah 9:2).
A Christmas Eve Candlelight Prayer
Light of the world, on this holy night we light our candles and remember that you came into our darkness. "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it" (John 1:5). Shine in the dark places of our world tonight: in hospital rooms and prison cells, in lonely apartments and grieving homes, in places of war and hunger. Shine in the dark places of our own hearts. Let your light pass from candle to candle, and from person to person, until the whole world sees your glory. Amen.
A Christmas Eve Prayer for Worship
God of Bethlehem, we gather on this holy night to remember the birth of your Son. We come like the shepherds, ordinary people surprised by good news. We come like the wise men, seekers who followed the light. We come like Mary, pondering what we cannot fully understand. Open our hearts to receive Christ again tonight. Let our songs join the angels' song: glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace. In the name of Jesus, Immanuel, God with us. Amen.
For full Christmas Eve services, see Christmas Eve Liturgy: Love and the Christmas Liturgy collection.
A Christmas Eve Family Prayer
Many families read Luke 2:1-20 together on Christmas Eve before bed, then pray. Read more about the passage in The Birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1-7) and Angels, Shepherds, and Jesus Born in Bethlehem (Luke 2:8-20).
Dear God, thank you for Christmas Eve. Thank you for sending Jesus as a baby, born in a stable and laid in a manger. Thank you for our family and for this night together. As we go to sleep, fill our home with your peace. Help us remember that Jesus is the best gift of all. Wake us tomorrow with joy. Amen.
Short Christmas Prayers
When the family is gathered and the food is ready, a short prayer is often best. Each of these takes less than thirty seconds.
A One-Line Christmas Prayer
Thank you, God, for the gift of Jesus, and for every gift of love around this table. Amen.
A Short Christmas Prayer From Luke 2:14
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace. Thank you, Lord, for coming to us at Christmas. Let your peace fill this home today. Amen.
A Short Christmas Prayer From John 1:14
Jesus, Word made flesh, thank you for living among us. Be with us today, full of grace and truth. Amen.
Christmas Dinner Prayers
A Christmas Dinner Prayer
Gracious God, on this Christmas Day we thank you for your greatest gift, your Son, Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem for us. Thank you for this table full of good food and the hands that prepared it. Thank you for the people gathered here and for those we love who are far away. As we eat and laugh and remember together, let the love that came down at Christmas fill this room. Make us generous to those who have little this season. Bless this food and bless this family. In Jesus' name, Amen.
A Christmas Table Grace From Isaiah 9:6
"For a child has been born for us, a son given to us." Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, thank you for coming to us. Bless this meal and the people sharing it. Be the guest of honor at our table today. Amen.
For more on these titles of Jesus, see Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace.
A Christmas Morning Prayer
Lord Jesus, happy birthday. Thank you for this Christmas morning. Before the wrapping paper and the coffee and the busy day, I stop to thank you for coming. You were born in a stable so you could be near to people like me. Let your joy fill our home today. Help me be patient, generous, and kind, and let everyone who comes through our door feel welcome. "This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24). Amen.
For more prayers to begin the day, see Morning Prayers for the Christian Year.
Christmas Prayers for Family
Christmas gathers families, sometimes after a long year apart. These prayers give thanks for the people you love and ask God to bless your time together.
A Christmas Prayer for My Family
Father, thank you for my family this Christmas. [Name them.] Thank you for the years together and the memories we share. Jesus came into a family too, with Mary and Joseph, in a world that had no room for them. Bless our family with the same love. Heal what is broken between us. Help us forgive quickly and laugh often. Let this Christmas draw us closer to you and to each other. Amen.
A Christmas Prayer for Family Far Away
Lord, some of the people we love are far from home this Christmas. Keep them safe. Let them know they are loved and remembered. Fill the miles between us with your peace, and bring us together again soon. Amen.
For prayers you can pray with your family all year, see Morning Prayers for Family.
Christmas Blessings
A blessing is spoken over people. These blessings work well at the end of Christmas dinner, in a Christmas card, or as guests head home.
The Angels' Blessing (Luke 2:14)
"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"
A Christmas Blessing for Guests
May the peace of Christ fill your home this Christmas. May the joy of the shepherds fill your heart. May the light that shone in Bethlehem guide you through the year ahead. And may you know that God is with you, today and always. Amen.
Immanuel Blessing (Matthew 1:23)
They shall name him Emmanuel, which means "God is with us." May you know the presence of God with you this Christmas and every day. Amen.
Read more in Immanuel, God With Us and The Gloria in Excelsis by the Angels at Jesus' Birth.
A Prayer for a Hard Christmas
Not every Christmas is merry. For some, this is the first Christmas after a death, a divorce, or a diagnosis. Many churches hold a "Blue Christmas" or "Longest Night" service near the winter solstice for people who are grieving during the holidays.
The first Christmas was not easy either. Mary and Joseph were far from home, with no room in the inn (Luke 2:7). Soon after, they fled to Egypt as refugees (Matthew 2:13-15). Jesus came into a hard world, and he comes to hard Christmases still.
A Prayer for Christmas When You Are Grieving
Lord Jesus, this Christmas hurts. Everyone around me seems happy, and I miss [name] so much. You came into a world full of sorrow. You know grief from the inside. Be with me in the empty places this season. Let me feel your presence in the middle of my tears. Thank you for the love I shared with them, and for your promise that one day you will wipe away every tear. Amen.
A Prayer for a Lonely Christmas
God, I'm alone this Christmas, and it's hard. You are Immanuel, God with us. Be with me today. Lead me to someone who needs company too. Let me know I am not forgotten. Amen.
For more comfort, see Bible Verses About Grief and Prayers for When You Are Sad.
Christmas Prayers for Kids
Children can lead Christmas prayers too. These are short and easy to memorize.
Happy birthday, Jesus! Thank you for coming to earth as a baby. I love you. Amen.
Dear God, thank you for Christmas, for my family, and for all my presents. Thank you most of all for Jesus. Amen.
Jesus, help me share and be kind this Christmas, because you came to love everyone. Amen.
A simple family tradition: before opening gifts on Christmas morning, have the youngest child read Luke 2:11 aloud, and then pray together.
A Christmas Night Prayer
When the day is over and the house is finally still, end Christmas the way Mary did. "But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19).
Lord, thank you for Christmas. Thank you for the gifts, the food, the people, and the moments I want to remember. Like Mary, I want to treasure them and ponder them in my heart. Forgive me for any impatient word today. As I fall asleep, let me rest in the wonder that you came to be with us. Keep everyone traveling home safe tonight. Amen.
For more prayers at the end of the day, visit Nightly Prayers.
Bible Verses for Christmas
These verses work well in Christmas cards, on a chalkboard by the tree, or read aloud before dinner.
Isaiah 9:2: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light."
Isaiah 9:6: "For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Matthew 1:23: "'Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,' which means, 'God is with us.'"
Luke 2:7: "And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn."
Luke 2:11: "To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord."
Luke 2:14: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"
John 1:5: "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it."
John 1:14: "And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth."
2 Corinthians 9:15: "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!"
For more on the Christmas story, read Why Was Jesus Born in Bethlehem?, The Word Became Flesh (John 1:14), and Mary's Magnificat (Luke 1:46-56). For Christmas preaching, see Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Sermons.
Keep Praying
For prayers to prepare for Christmas, see Prayers for Advent. For holiday prayers earlier in the season, see Thanksgiving Prayers. For more prayers to begin the day, visit Prayers for the Day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good Christmas Eve prayer? Thank God for the gift of Jesus, ask him to shine his light in the dark places of the world and your heart, and pray for peace. Isaiah 9:2 and John 1:5 are good verses to pray on Christmas Eve.
What is a short Christmas prayer? "Thank you, God, for the gift of Jesus, and for every gift of love around this table. Amen."
What do you say for a Christmas dinner prayer? Thank God for Jesus, for the food and those who prepared it, and for the people at the table. Ask him to bless the meal and make you generous to others this season.
What is the best Bible verse for Christmas? Luke 2:11 ("To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord") and Isaiah 9:6 are the most popular. John 1:14 and Matthew 1:23 are also favorites.
What is a Christmas prayer for kids? "Happy birthday, Jesus! Thank you for coming to earth as a baby. I love you. Amen."
How do I pray at Christmas when I'm grieving? Name your loss honestly, and remember that Jesus came into a world of sorrow. Many churches offer a "Blue Christmas" or "Longest Night" service for people grieving during the holidays.
Works Consulted
Brown, Raymond E. The Birth of the Messiah. Doubleday.
Keller, Timothy. Hidden Christmas: The Surprising Truth Behind the Birth of Christ. Viking.
Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version.
