Loving God,

Every year, as Christmas comes round, we stand in awe of the enormity of what You did for us. To save us from ourselves, You gave Your only Son, Jesus, who left the glories of heaven for the poverty of a borrowed stable.

He grew to teach, heal and draw us closer to You, breaking down the barrier that sin had formed between us and You by submitting Himself to death on a cross. Nothing we can give could possibly repay this debt, so we give what we can, we give You our hearts.

We ask Your blessings, this Christmastide, on Your Church, and especially commend all who give freely of their time and talents to further Your work. May they have a joyous Christmas, safe in the knowledge that they are loved by You. In Jesus’ name.

Amen