Christmas Prayers 2016: 5 Blessings To Say During Yuletide Celebrations

Those celebrating Christmas may be anticipating opening presents from Santa on Dec. 25, but for many Catholic and Christian observers, the holiday marks the celebration of Jesus Christ's birth. Between opening gifts and feasting with family members and friends, take a moment to say happy holidays with a few Christmas prayers.

Check out a few prayers to say on Christmas Day below:

1. Lord our God, the heavens are the work of your hands, the moon and the stars you made; the earth and the sea, and every living creature came into being by your word. And all of us, too. May this tree bring cheer to this house through Jesus Christ your good and holy Son, who brings life and beauty to us and to our world. Lighting this tree, we hope in his promise.

2. 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. Amen.

3. The day of joy returns, Father in Heaven, and crowns another year with peace and good will. Help us rightly to remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men. Close the doors of hate and open the doors of love all over the world? Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil, by the blessing that Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clean hearts. May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children. And the Christmas evening bring us to our bed with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus sake. Amen.

4. Moonless darkness stands between. Past, the past, no more be seen! But the Bethlehem star may lead me to the sight of Him who freed me from the self that I have been. Make me pure, Lord: Thou art holy; make me meek, Lord: Thou wert lowly; now beginning, and always, now begin, on Christmas day.

5. Lord and Giver of all good things, the magi traveled for miles to bring the Christ child the first Christmas presents. So may we, too, remember with thankful hearts the love that comes with each present we open. We also thank you for the love you have for each of us, and we thank you for the many gifts that you give us, especially the gift of live itself. Amen.