The Christian God is a faithful God. When He promises, He surely fulfills. He cannot contradict Himself by lying or breaking a promise. The fulfillment of God’s promises takes place within the constraints of time. The promise of a Savior was first made in the Garden of Eden, but it took many centuries for that promise to finally be realized.
For many centuries, the whole of creation waited for the coming of the promised Redeemer. Our waiting was not in vain. We held in expectant hope for the realization of God’s promise. Christmas reminds us of our salvation history and encourages us to adopt the expectant attitude of Israel’s people as they eagerly await the arrival of the Messiah.
Christmas is a blessed season of hope. As we are filled with the Christmas spirit, may our hope in God also grow daily. Let us offer some moments to reflect and to pray for an increase in our hope in God. May these prayers remind us of the genuine reason for the holiday season and the reasons we may celebrate despite any challenges or sufferings we may have experienced this year.
Prayer for the Christmas season
Lord God of all seasons, I praise and glorify You for the wonders You have shown us. Through the birth of Your Son, our Lord and Redeemer Jesus Christ, we have been filled with hope. I praise You for granting us forgiveness and salvation through Him.
When I reflect on how far You were willing to go for our salvation, I am filled with humility and gratitude. No one compares with the love You have for us to the extent that Your Son took on the lowly form of humanity. For Your great love, o Lord, I thank You.
The birth of Jesus brought us hope for eternal life. He has granted us freedom from the clutches of sin and death. He has given us hope for heaven. He has conferred on us the hope and joy to be with You for all eternity.
Lord God, we once again commemorate the birth of Christ. Many of us are battling with the burdens of daily life. Darkness surrounds us. Please shine the light of hope on us once again. Remind us once more of the wonderful news of the birth of Jesus. In a world where anxiety and fear rule, make us realize that hope in You strengthens us in facing the turbulent journey of life.
We humbly ask for peace in this broken world. Forgive us for the many times when we chose hatred over forgiveness. Remind us once again of the forgiveness You have granted us through Christ, our Lord. Forgive us for forgetting that Your love neither wanes nor changes.
Father, as I pray for hope, I also ask that I may be a sign of hope for others. Help me to be a blessing to other people rather than just seek blessings for myself. As I pray for myself, please remind me to also pray for my family and friends. Teach me to extend Your love and grace to others.
Lord God, nothing shines brighter than hope as we commemorate the season of Christ’s birth. The expectation of knowing that no matter what challenges life throws at us, we may always have hope because of that glorious night when our Savior was born in a stable. Thank You for giving us the gift of hope on that first Christmas – the hope wrapped in swaddling clothes and asleep in a manger.
Through Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Short Christmas prayer of hope
Lord God, Father, and Creator of all, You promised us a Savior. In Your most perfect time, You sent us our Savior in the child Jesus, on that Holy night. As we wait for His coming at Christmas, we ask You to increase our hope. Life may bring us difficulties and challenges but may our hope in You be our constant encouragement. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
The Word of God
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders, and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:2,6 NRSVUE
Prayer to Saint Jude Thaddaeus for Hope
Dear Saint Jude Thaddaeus, we thank the Lord for granting us a holy saint like you. You were privileged to be a companion of Christ during His ministry. You are invoked as the patron saint of hope. Please hear our humble petitions and prayers.
Please bring to God our thanksgiving for His boundless love for all. He has sent His only Son as our Savior and to bear the penalty of our sins. His life has given you and all of us an example of a noble and worthy Christian life.
Saint Jude Thaddaeus, intercede and pray for us as we celebrate this Christmas. May our hope be increased and our faith be steadfast. Ask the Lord to forgive us for forgetting the true reason for this season. May He forgive us for getting obsessed with the rush and bustle of consumerism and materialism during this season. Please pray for us that we may turn our hearts back to Christ, our hope, and our salvation.
Beloved patron of hope, help us to feel God’s presence and closeness in our life. In times of difficulties and anxieties, bring us hope and faith. May our hope in God never falter. In the face of challenges, may our hope in Him grow even more.
Pray for us that peace will reign in our hearts and families. Even when everything seems to be out of control, may we put our hope in the Lord’s love and protection. May we be always reminded that when darkness surrounds us, the light of Christ brings us an ever-renewed hope and encouragement.
Saint Jude Thaddaeus, pray for us. Amen.
Further reflection
Christmas is an appropriate time for us to reflect on the goodness of God. At the same time, Christmas gives us a fresh sense of hope. Hope compels us to move forward in our lives no matter what challenges and struggles come our way.
When we have a clear belief and strong hope, we become enabled persons to continue our lives despite the difficulties. Hope gives us a vision of the future while actively living in the present. We are motivated to continue fulfilling our duties and tasks, but most importantly, doing the will of God for us.
This Christmas, the season of hope, let us remember the humble birth of Christ, the visible hope from God. The year has been quite challenging, yet here we are, celebrating another Christmas day. Despite the uneasy circumstances we have encountered, let us not forget to be grateful, joyful, and hopeful. Let us turn our gaze to the Child, the hope Incarnate.
