“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, MightyGod, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” - Isaiah 9:2–7

Our Father in Heaven,

We thank you for another Christmas, a day to celebrate and remember.
We pray that you would deepen our understanding of the immeasurable value of Christ.
Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the fullness of perfection.
Our Savior is omnipotent and omniscient, lacking nothing.
The Son of God is more precious than jewels, nothing we desire can compare with him.

O, what a gift it is for the Mighty God to dwell among us.
O, what tenderness it is for the Everlasting Father to adopt us into his family.
O, what grace it is for the Prince of Peace to become a servant.
O, what love it is for the Wonderful Counselor to call us out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Christ, we are utterly undeserving of your humble incarnation.
Worse than that, we are deserving of your condemnation, yet you came that we might be saved.

May your great kindness fuel our hope into a mighty beacon.
Like the Magi, may we endure in our journey until we see your precious face.

May your sovereign power speak peace to our hearts as you did to the wind and the waves.
Like Joseph, may we not be afraid to do as you have commanded.

May your many excellencies draw our hearts into your presence where there is fullness of joy.
Like Mary, may our souls magnify the Lord and our spirits rejoice in our Savior.

May your immeasurable sacrifice and most gracious gift stir up our love for you.
Like the shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night, may the Gospel cause us to run with haste to the perfect love that casts out our fears.

Holy Spirit, we pray that you would bind and seal us for the sake of your name.
Write these truths on our hearts so that our souls would be anchored amidst stormy seas.
O Comforter, please minister to this season’s doubts, fears, frustrations, and disappointments.
Bring us daily to the cross of Christ that we may lay our burdens down and walk with you.

Heavenly Father, we praise your name for sending your Son into the world to save sinners.
Son of God, we cannot thank you enough for laying down your life for your sheep.
Holy Spirit, bring forth your fruit in our lives that we may represent you well this Christmas.

In Jesus’ precious name,

Amen