Oddly enough, Christmas day is often the hardest day of the year to pray. So much activity and merry making can sometimes distract us from the true spirit of Christmas.
In the midst of all the presents and visiting with family and friends, take a brief moment to pray. It doesn’t have to be long, just a few minutes can help settle the soul down and lift up your heart to God.
To help you in your brief respite, pray this short and simple prayer from St. John XXIII. It gets to the heart of Christmas and implores God’s help in achieving peace on earth. Not just an external peace, but a true and abiding peace that starts in the soul.
O sweet Child of Bethlehem, grant that we may share with all our hearts in this profound mystery of Christmas. Put into the hearts of men and women this peace for which they sometimes seek so desperately and which you alone can give to them. Help them to know one another better, and to live as brothers and sisters, children of the same Father. Reveal to them also your beauty, holiness and purity. Awaken in their hearts love and gratitude for your infinite goodness. Join them all together in your love. And give us your heavenly peace.Amen.
Read more:
8 Inspiring quotes from “Good Pope John,” St. John XXIII
And today we celebrate...