Christmas night has a particular quiet. The rush is over, the wrapping paper is in bags, the children are finally asleep. It’s a good moment to do what the shepherds did after they’d seen the child: go home “glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen.”
Historical Context
A Family Prayer on Christmas Night
Lord Jesus, thank you for coming to us as a baby.
Thank you for today: for the food, the gifts,
the people around our table and the ones we missed.
As we go to sleep, let the peace of Bethlehem fill our home.
Bless everyone we love tonight.
Amen.
A Prayer at the Manger
Little Jesus, you came in the dark and the cold,
to a family with no room.
Come into the dark and cold places in my life.
Mary and Joseph, teach me to welcome him.
Amen.
For Those Alone at Christmas
Lord, tonight many people are alone:
the widowed, the sick, the homeless, the soldier far away,
the one whose family is broken.
Be Emmanuel for them, God with us.
Amen.
A Prayer of Thanks as the Day Ends
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will.
Thank you, Father, for this day.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer
- On Christmas Eve after Midnight Mass or a candlelight service.
- On Christmas night before bed.
- Through the Octave of Christmas, until 1 January.
Scripture Connection
“And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.” — Luke 2:20
The shepherds went back to the same fields and the same sheep, but they went back changed. Christmas night is a chance to do the same: return to ordinary life carrying what we’ve seen.
Related prayers
For Christmas and Advent, see the Christmas Prayer for Husband, the December 23 Prayer and the December Prayer Guide.