CHRISTMAS PRAYER SERVICE

Introduction:
Christmas is a festival of Hope and Love. It leads us to a new way of life. Today a Savior has
been born to you. He is Christ the Lord. (Lk 2:11) While the fight between darkness and
light, life and death, God and Satan goes on, we are confident that in the end, Light will
prevail, and God will win. The Lord will become All to all. The Child Jesus lying in the
manger is surrounded by the darkness of a sinful world. In that darkness, he has become the
Light. So to remain away from him means to live in darkness.
It was in order to spread the good news of love, that Christ the prince of peace was born.
Jesus Christ is the friend of the poor, the sick, the sinner and those abandoned. Child is not
only the one who brings the Good News, but he is the Good News of humankind's salvation.
Hymn: JOY TO THE WORLD
Reading: Luke
Prayer of the Faithful

Today is day of joy and gladness. The birth of Jesus is being remembered the world over. We
are also part of this celebration. On this day, let us make our prayer to our Lord Jesus Christ
who has come in our midst as one like us.

Response: Jesus word made flesh hear our prayer.

1. Jesus is born to bring the good news of peace and love. Today when people in our world
are living in selfishness and violence, may they accept the good news of Jesus Christ in their
lives and experience the kingdom of love and peace. For this, we pray to the Lord.
Response: Jesus word made flesh hear our prayer.
2. Today believers in Jesus all over the whole world are celebrating the birth of Christ, let us
pray that there may not be any major accidents and calamities. May this festival be celebrated
with happiness. For this, we pray to the Lord.
Response: Jesus word made flesh hear our prayer.
3. Let us pray for all new born babies who are born today and all those who are celebrating
their birthdays. May the Good Lord give them good health of body and mind and grant them
the grace of living a life in service of spreading God's kingdom of love, joy and peace. For
this, we pray to the Lord.
Response: Jesus word made flesh hear our prayer.

4. Let us pray for all of us who are gathered together in prayer. May God shower his blessing
upon our family members and friends. May he take away all our worries and difficulties and
make our faith strong. For this, we pray to the Lord.

Response: Jesus word made flesh hear our prayer.

5. Let us pray for all those who are struggling in life, those who are poor, abandoned by
society, handicapped, old and depressed. May the Good Lord give them strength to overcome
all barriers and be the recipients of what is their due. May people come to their aid and may
they receive the warmth and consolation of Jesus Christ. For this, we pray to the Lord.

Response: Jesus word made flesh hear our prayer.

Leader: Let us now pray the OUR FATHER, the prayer which Jesus himself has taught us as
we commit ourselves to forget envy, jealousy and all our differences and wish each other
Merry Christmas.

Concluding Hymn: Hark the Herald

1. INTRODUCATION:
We have gathered together to celebrate a very special feast. Today we celebrate the birthday
of someone very dear to each one of us. This birthday is not an ordinary one and there is
something special about it. The lamp lit before us gives us a feeling of joy and warmth. The
flames glitter and dance to the tune of the breeze. It looks lovely and makes us feel good.
This is exactly what Jesus is doing today as he is being born in our hearts. He is the rising sun
that quenches the dark corners of our lives and permeates us with His radiance. Let us join in
the hymn JOY TO THE WORLD, thus expressing our happiness at the birth of LIGHT.
HYMN:

Joy to the World

3. SCRIPTURE READING: Phil 2: 14-164. ROLE PLAYTeacher Animator:
Every child that is born in the world is a message of hope. Jesus was notvery different,
however Jesus was Hope itself. We always wish for something good, something beautiful.
This becomes true when we give our small lives to Jesus and tell Him to help us.Therefore
Jesus said “I am the light of the world” and today on his birthday Jesus is inviting usto join
his light party.
(This playlet could be acted out with soft background music, it could also be integrated with
slides)
- “Light is Born” -
Commentator 1:
In the country of darkness the night was endless. The sun had never risen.Because the people
had lived so long in the dark they were gloomy and sad. Worse still, theywere not aware of
the gloom. The streets the house, public places were very, very dark.
Commentator 2:
One day a little child appeared in that country. That child was holding a lightin his hands and
began strolling on their streets.
Commentator 1:
Some of the children of the country of darkness looked out of their houses inamazement.
They asked their elders.
*Building a New Humanity Through Universal Values*

Archdiocesan Value EducationCentre - AVEC

Don Bosco Youth Services – Matunga, MUMBAI 400 019 Tel: 24154477 E-mail:
avecmatunga@gmail.com
PRAYER SERVICECHRISTMAS

PREPARATION: The Indian lamp could be lit against the background of a sunrise. As per
your creativity, think of how you could best bring alive the role play with appropriate props
and slides.
1. INTRODUCATION:Teacher Animator:
We have gathered together to celebrate a very special feast. Today wecelebrate the birthday
of someone very dear to each one of us. This birthday is not an ordinaryone and there is
something special about it. The lamp lit before us gives us a feeling of joy andwarmth. The
flames glitter and dance to the tune of the breeze. It looks lovely and makes us feelgood. This
is exactly what Jesus is doing today as he is being born in our hearts. He is the risingsun that
quenches the dark corners of our lives and permeates us with His radiance. Let us join inthe
hymn JOY TO THE WORLD, thus expressing our happiness at the birth of LIGHT.
2. HYMN:

Joy to the World

3. SCRIPTURE READING: Phil 2: 14-164. ROLE PLAYTeacher Animator:
Every child that is born in the world is a message of hope. Jesus was notvery different,
however Jesus was Hope itself. We always wish for something good, something beautiful.
This becomes true when we give our small lives to Jesus and tell Him to help us.Therefore
Jesus said “I am the light of the world” and today on his birthday Jesus is inviting usto join
his light party.
(This playlet could be acted out with soft background music, it could also be integrated with
slides)
- “Light is Born” -
Commentator 1:
In the country of darkness the night was endless. The sun had never risen.Because the people
had lived so long in the dark they were gloomy and sad. Worse still, theywere not aware of
the gloom. The streets the house, public places were very, very dark.
Commentator 2:
One day a little child appeared in that country. That child was holding a lightin his hands and
began strolling on their streets.
Commentator 1:
Some of the children of the country of darkness looked out of their houses in amazement.
They asked their elders.