A prayer of Pope St. John XXIII to recite before the crèche on Christmas

It is December 25th…Jesus is born! Let us celebrate His birth with a prayer in front of our crèche.

The crèche is a place where, on Christmas day we must proclaim our faith in a God of love, a God who wished to become one of us to save us. On this December 25th, let us recite this beautiful Nativity prayer, “O Sweet Child of Bethlehem” by Pope Saint John XXIII (1881-1963), who was pope from 1958-1963.

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 them.

Help them to know one another better,

and to live as brothers and sisters,

children of the same Father.

Awaken in their hearts

love and gratitude for Your infinite goodness.

Join them all together in Your love.

And give them Your heavenly peace,

Amen