Luke 2: 10-11, 13-14
December 24, 2022
FEAST OF SAINT STEPHEN, FIRST MARTYR – 26th DECEMBER
December 26, 2022
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible.— Colossians 1:15–16
Heavenly Father, you created Adam, positioned as the first man, but having corrupted himself by his disobedience, he infected the whole of humanity and left it with a curse as inheritance. So, our Benevolent God, you lifted the curse by sending your beloved Son to the earth as Saviour and Messiah. The birth of Jesus counterbalanced the fall of Adam, bringing forth redemption and repairing the damage done by Adam.
Jesus’ birth was unique, having universal implications, following his birth, through his morality and obedience to you, Father. Jesus began a new harmony in the communion between you, his Father and man. Thus, Jesus is the author of a new humanity.
O God of Righteousness, keeper of your promises, you gave us your beloved Son, born through a virgin appointed and anointed by the power of your Holy Spirit, for the redemption and restoration of mankind, as well as giving glory to your steadfast faithfulness, by your promises coming true, in gifting salvation to those who believe.
We worship you, Holy Father, with a song of thanks in our hearts, a song of redemption, a song of hope and renewal. We pray for joy in our hearts, hope in our God, love to forgive, and peace upon the earth. We ask for the salvation of all our family members and friends, and we pray for your blessings on all people.
May there be bread for the hungry, love for the unlovable, healing for the sick, protection for our children, and wisdom for our youth. We pray for the forgiveness of sinners and abundant life in Christ. Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with your love and power.
Loving Father, in the melody of the angels and the humility of the shepherds, close the door of hate in our hearts 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. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
A BLESSED AND HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL, FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS! ????
1 Prayer
Omnipotent and benevolent God, thank you for giving us Jesus, Mary and Joseph. We praise and thank you for the love, mercy and providence you never cease to give us. With your grace help us to be contrite, accepting of our crosses and sorrows, always uniting them with Jesus. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.