A Prayer for Christmas

Nativity Prayer-Hymn of St. Ephraim the Syrian

The feast day of your birth resembles You, Lord
Because it brings joy to all humanity.
Old people and infants alike enjoy your day.
Your day is celebrated
from generation to generation.
Kings and emperors may pass away,
And the festivals to commemorate them soon lapse.
But your festival
will be remembered until the end of time.
Your day is a means and a pledge of peace.
At Your birth heaven and earth were reconciled,
Since you came from heaven to earth on that day
You forgave our sins and wiped away our guilt.
You gave us so many gifts on the day of your birth:
A treasure chest of spiritual medicines for the sick;
Spiritual light for the blind;
The cup of salvation for the thirsty;
The bread of life for the hungry.
In the winter when trees are bare,
You give us the most succulent spiritual fruit.
In the frost when the earth is barren,
You bring new hope to our souls.
In December when seeds are hidden in the soil,
The staff of life springs forth from the virgin womb

St. Ephraim the Syrian (AD 306-373)

An Advent Prayer

Advent Prayer to Jesus

You are our eternal salvation,
The unfailing light of the world.
Light everlasting,
You are truly our redemption.
Grieving that the human race was perishing
through the tempter's power,
without leaving the heights
You came to the depths in your loving kindness.
Readily taking our humanity by Your gracious will,
You saved all earthly creatures, long since lost,
Restoring joy to the world.
Redeem our souls and bodies, O Christ,
and so possess us as Your shining dwellings.
By Your first coming, make us righteous;
At your second coming, set us free:
So that, when the world is filled with light
and you judge all things,
We may be clad in spotless robes
and follow in Your steps, O King,
Into the heavenly hall.

Unknown Author, 10th century

A Timely Prayer

I came across this prayer yesterday, and I thought that it seemed timely with everything that has been going on in the world in the past few months.

Jesus, Help Me

In every need let me come to You with humble trust, saying,
Jesus, help me.

In all my doubts, perplexities, and temptations,
Jesus, help me.

In hours of loneliness, weariness and trials,
Jesus, help me.

In the failure of my plans and hopes; in disappointments, troubles and sorrows,
Jesus, help me.

When others fail me, and Your grace alone can assist me,
Jesus, help me.

When I throw myself on Your tender love as a Brother and Savior,
Jesus, help me.

When my heart is cast down by failure to see any good come from my efforts,
Jesus, help me.

When I feel impatient, and my cross irritates me,
Jesus, help me.

When I am ill, and my head and hands cannot work and I am lonely,
Jesus, help me.

Always, always, in spite of weakness, falls and shortcomings of every kind,
Jesus, help me and never forsake me.