A Christmas Prayer

"Loving Father, Help us remember the birth of Jesus,

that we may share in the song of angels,

the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men.
Close the door of hate and open the door 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 which 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 beds with grateful thoughts,

forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake, Amen!"

by Robert Louis Stevenson