The Christmas tree is a symbol of hope for God’s people and is more than just a holiday tradition. It symbolizes the long-awaited birth of Jesus Christ, which brought light and love into the world, for we now have a chance to be saved from the consequences of our sins. Christmas tree decorating unites family members and fills households with merriment and joy, reminding each of us not only of the gift of salvation but also of the spirit of Christmas and the value of giving.
This Christmas tree prayer will help us reach out to the Lord and talk to Him about our plans for the holidays while asking Him for renewed strength and protection as He livens our home with music, good food, and good memories.
Christmas tree decorating prayer
Blessed Redeemer,
Glory to You in the Highest.
Many times have I disobeyed Your Word and doubted Your power. But You, Lord, have said that I am worthy of Your love and care. Who am I to be blessed beyond measure? Forgive me for my shortcomings and trespasses. You are our great God, kind and just, and I ask for Your mercy and wisdom. Bring me ever closer to Your embrace and redirect my path.
My family and I have labored throughout the year, and now we can rest and look back on how You’ve remained faithful to us even while we were at our lowest. Thank You for always being by our side, watching over my loved ones, and protecting all of us from harm. Thank You for the greatest present of all, one that no gold nor power can ever match: the gift of salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ. We do not deserve Your generosity and grace, O Lord, but we will continue to worship Your Name and sing praises of Your wondrous love.
This Yuletide season, may You fill our humble but faithful household with laughter and happiness. May we write many heartfelt letters and Christmas cards so that we can spread love and kind words to those who need it. May delicious food overflow from our tables so that we have plenty to give to the poor and to our neighbors. May our Christmas tree be decked with presents, so we can once more be reminded of our blessedness despite the trials we faced as a family.
I pray for those who are not as fortunate as we are. Many of our brothers and sisters live on the streets or suffer from difficult situations in life, and my heart goes out to all who have to suffer during the coldest nights of winter. Use my hands and my blessings to bless their lives, O Lord, so that they may feel Your presence and the gift of salvation that you have extended to all.
As we decorate our tree and home with ornaments, we know in our hearts that it is not aesthetic beauty that brings homeliness, comfort, and festive spirit to our household, but the unseen beauty that You bless us with: unity, generosity, protection, gratitude, protection, abundance, and the comforting fact that no matter how hard our year was, what matters most is that we are all together.
May peace be with everyone on Earth.
In Jesus’ Name, I lovingly pray.
Amen.
Short Christmas tree prayer for families
Prince of Peace and Light of the World, as we decorate our Christmas tree and celebrate Your birth, bless our household with hope and prosperity. Use our hands, our table, and our pockets to bless those who are less fortunate than we are. May this season highlight not only Christmas trees and wrapped presents but also the value of generosity, gratitude, and the priceless gift of salvation through You. Amen.
The Word of God
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. Great will be his authority, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.I
saiah 9:6-7 NRSVUE
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 NRSVUE
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
2 Corinthians 9:15 NRSVUE
Intercessory prayer to Saint Nicholas
Blessed Saint Nicholas of Bari and Myra,
I humbly come before you with a heart overflowing with gratitude. This year has had seasons of both prosperity and hardship, yet despite the challenges, my family and I emerged with a stronger bond with God. As we welcome a new year and celebrate the gift of eternal life and salvation, I pray that this season will inspire us to strive to be better versions of ourselves. Ignite within our hearts the passion to help others and to give what we’ve been blessed with.
This Christmas, I ask for simple yet meaningful blessings under my Christmas tree: a peaceful time for rest in the comfort of home, provision for all our needs, and plenty of time to spend with my loved ones. We may not be blessed with great wealth, but we found that the greatest riches of all are that of family and togetherness. May we share many memories of this season and find joy even in simple celebrations and unspoken victories.
Although this year has not been easy on me, I know that there are people out there who’ve gone through far greater hardships than I have. Let no child go hungry. May no homeless person have to sadly watch celebrations from afar, alone and miserable. May no mother have to worry about feeding her family. In this time of giving, may everyone have a roof over their heads and their dearest ones around them. May every one of us be blessed not just with material possessions but also with the values that we need most: faith, courage, strength of heart and mind, wisdom, confidence, and love.
Saint Nicholas, pray for us. Amen.
Further reflection
What do we like most about Christmas? Is it the idea of coming home and finally having time to spend with our family members? Is it the smell of food and the Christmas songs playing in the background as we decorate our homes or the excitement of decorating the Christmas tree and unwrapping presents on Christmas day? Or is it the extra time to rest, unwind, and enjoy our favorite hobbies without worrying about our workload and deadlines?
Christmas decorating means something special for each of us, but let’s remember to never lose sight of the true essence of Christmas: it’s the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and how He brought light and salvation into the world amidst the darkness of our sins. With this in mind, let the Christmas season—and every day of the year—be a manifestation of God’s love and sacrifice for us. May we all be reminded to give to the needy and to remain grateful for all our blessings.
