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Since the Christmas readings are the same for all lectionary years, these communion prayers may be used in any year.


The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is good to give God thanks and praise.

We do thank you and praise you, almighty God, for you have richly blessed our world through the wonder of Christmas. This is a holy time, a time for miracles, for in this season we celebrate your great gift to us of Jesus Christ.

Down through the ages, your servants walked among the people and proclaimed your love and care. Prophets who called for repentance and right living. Saints who delivered your word. Messengers who told of the coming Messiah.

Holy God, the whole earth needs to hear your word. The message of hope, salvation, and peace needs to be shared with our troubled world. Fill us with your Spirit that we might go from this place and tell of your forgiveness, mercy, and the new life brought by the babe born in a stable.

For on that night, shepherds in the field were keeping watch over their flocks. They saw the splendor of your heavenly host and heard the announcement that Jesus had been born. In wonder, amazement, and hope the shepherds rushed to Bethlehem and saw all that you had done. And they returned home praising you and declaring your goodness.

Loving God, our world needs to know of your goodness. The light and hope of your love need to be shouted from the rooftops and whispered in dark rooms. Fill us with the joy of your Spirit that in wonder and praise we might share your love with all creation.

For on that night, Mary and Joseph saw the fulfillment of prophecy and the unfolding of your promise. They saw the excitement of the shepherds and pondered the meaning of your actions in their hearts. Having experienced your love in action they reacted in faith and hope. They trusted in your way and your promise.

Eternal God, our world needs people of faith. We long to know such people and we strive to be such people. Let your Holy Spirit move through us that we might live faithfully -- trusting, believing, and serving in the name of Jesus Christ.

We have walked in darkness but now see a great light, and we know that the darkness can never extinguish the light you send us in Jesus Christ. We have gathered as people who hear the angels proclaiming the birth of the king.

For on the night before Jesus died, he took bread, broke it, and said, "This is my body which is given for you. Each time you do this, remember me." Jesus took the cup and said, "This cup is the new covenant God has made with you in my blood. Each time you do this and drink from this cup, remember me."

We break the bread and we drink the cup. We remember the tiny babe whose birth we celebrate. We remember the man who worked miracles and taught of your love. We remember Jesus who died on the cross and rose from the dead.

We pray on this Christmas Eve that your Holy Spirit might descend upon these gifts of bread and cup. Allow us to feel the wonder, the joy, the excitement, the truth of the first Christmas, the Last Supper, and the first Easter. For we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, who cried from a stable and from a hill.

Amen.