DAILY PRAYER DURING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON

Starting with Christmas Eve, the next fifteen days we will be celebrating the Christmas Season. To keep the Christmas Spirit alive during this special season, let’s find ways to celebrate Christmas everyday from now through January 9, the last day of the Christmas Season. Below is a list of liturgical celebrations for each day during Christmas along with a prayer for that day. Even as we put away our Christmas decoration and play with our new toys, we can keep celebrating Christmas with our families and friends.

Friday Evening / December 24
Vigil liturgies for the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord
(Christmas Eve)
God of endless ages, Father of all we keep vigil for the dawn of salvation and the birth of your Son. With gratitude we recall his humanity, The life he shared with the sons of men. May the power of his divinity help us to answer his call to forgiveness and life. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Saturday / December 25
Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas Day)
Father, we are filled with the new light by the coming of your Word among us. May the light of faith shine in our words and actions. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Sunday / December 26
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
Father, help us to live as the holy family, united in respect and love. Bring us to the joy and peace of your eternal home. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Monday / December 27
Feast of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist
God our Father, you have revealed the mysteries of your Word through John the apostle. By prayer and reflection may we come to understand the wisdom he taught. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever

Tuesday / December 28
Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs
Father, the Holy Innocents offered you praise by death they suffered for Christ. May our lives bear witness to the faith we profess with our lips. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Wednesday / December 29
Fifth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord
All-powerful and unseen God, the coming of your light into our world has made the darkness vanish. Teach us to proclaim the birth of your Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Thursday / December 30
Sixth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord
All-powerful God, may the human birth of you Son free us from our former slavery to sin and bring us new life. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Friday / December 31
Seventh Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord
Ever-living God, in the birth of your Son our religion has its origin and its perfect fulfillment. Help us to share in the life of Christ for he is salvation of mankind, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Saturday / January 1
Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
Father, source of light in every age, the virgin conceived and bore your Son who is called Wonderful God, Prince of Peace. May her prayer, the gifts of a mother’s love, be your people’s joy through all ages. May her response, born of a humble heart, draw your Spirit to rest on your people. Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Sunday / January 2
Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
Father, you revealed your Son to the nations by the guidance of a star. Lead us to your glory in heaven by the light of faith. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Monday / January 3
Christmas Weekday
Optional Memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus Eternal Father, you gave to your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart, we pray, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Tuesday / January 4
Memorial of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious
Lord God, you blessed Elizabeth Seton with gifts of grace as wife and mother, educator and foundress, so that she might spend her life in service to your people. Through her example and prayers May we learn to express our love for you in love for our fellow men and women. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Wednesday / January 5
Memorial of St. John Neumann, Bishop
Father, you called blessed John Neumann to labor for the gospel among the people of the new world. His ministry strengthened many others in the Christian faith: through his prayers may faith grow strong in this land. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son.

Thursday / January 6
Christmas Weekday
God our Father, through Christ your Son the hope of eternal life dawned on our world, Give to us the light of faith that we may always acknowledge him as our redeemer and come to the glory of his kingdom, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Friday / January 7
Christmas Weekday
All-powerful Father, you have made known the birth of the Savior by light of a star. May he continue to guide us with his light, one God, for ever and ever.

Saturday / January 8
Christmas Weekday
All-powerful Father, you have made known the birth of the Savior by light of a star. May he continue to guide us with his light, one God, for ever and ever.

Sunday / January 9
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
Almighty, eternal God, when the Spirit descended upon Jesus at his baptism in the Jordan, you revealed him as your own beloved Son, Keep us, your children born of water and the Spirit, faithful to our calling. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.