Thanking God for Christmas

 

Lord God of heaven,

Thank you for Christmas.

Thank you for breathing on us the Word of Life,

for pouring out your Spirit on Mary,

for empowering Joseph,

for transforming shepherds and wise men.

Christmas is a heavenly gift with global proportions.

Thank you, Jesus, for coming to earth to save me.

Thank you for humbling yourself to be born as a helpless infant (see Philippians 2)

a human with frailties and limitations

so I could trust that you understand me.

So that you could take my place before God as a sinner who needs salvation (1 Peter 2:24).

You created me with love in your heart–

Thank you for designing me for a purpose.

And not just me:

you’ve made and loved every person

throughout human history,

regardless of their response to your love.

You offer everyone the hope of heaven.

Thank you for fulfilling your own promises on Christmas Day,

for living and dying for,

for rising again in power over death–also for me.

Thank you for forgiving my sins and interceding before God the Father on my behalf.

Lord Jesus, I could never love you like you deserve to be loved,

but I will try to worship you this Christmas season.

I will look for your glory

and reflect your glory with my celebration.

I love you.

In Jesus’ name, 

Amen.

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means “God with us”).’–Matthew 1:22-23