Christmas is the feast on which God draws close to us. A Christmas prayer does not need to be long or complicated: you can say it on Christmas Eve, on your way home from church, before the holiday meal or in the evening, when the house grows quiet. In this article you will find the troparion of the Nativity of the Lord, short prayers for your family and loved ones, a few customs that help you live the feast more peacefully, and answers to the questions you ask us most often.
What we celebrate at Christmas
On 25 December the Orthodox Church celebrates the Nativity in the flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ. The feast is prepared by the Nativity Fast, which begins on 15 November and lasts forty days. The fast is not just a change of menu, but a time of stillness, reconciliation and almsgiving, so that you can welcome the feast with a clean heart.
On Christmas Eve, 24 December, children go carolling and announce the Nativity, and in many homes the priest comes with the icon. These are simple gestures that turn an ordinary day into a day of blessing.
The troparion of the Nativity of the Lord
The troparion is the main hymn of the feast and can be said every day of the Christmas season, until Theophany:
Your Nativity, O Christ our God, has shone the light of knowledge upon the world; for by it, those who worshipped the stars were taught by a star to worship You, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know You, the Dayspring from on high. O Lord, glory to You!
Christmas prayer for the family
A prayer in your own words (suggested by us, not a liturgical text):
Lord Jesus Christ, who were born in the manger of Bethlehem to bring peace on earth, bless our home on this holy day. Gather us in love, forgive the hurts between us and give us simple hearts, like those of the shepherds who sought You. Protect our loved ones, those near and those far away. Amen.
If you would like to pray at greater length for the people in your home, see also our guide to the prayer for the family.
Prayer before the Christmas meal
A prayer in your own words (suggested by us, not a liturgical text):
Christ our God, bless the food and drink of Your servants and those who prepared it. We thank You for the gifts on our table and for the people gathered around it. Remember those who today have no bread or are alone, and do not leave them without comfort. Amen.
The meal can begin with the Lord's Prayer said together and a lit candle. For moments of prayer at home you can choose one of the candles in our collection.
Prayer for loved ones who are no longer with us
During the holidays, the empty places at the table hurt more. It is natural to remember them too:
A prayer in your own words (suggested by us, not a liturgical text):
Lord, give rest to the souls of our loved ones who have departed this world (names). Make them partakers of the joy of Your Nativity and give us, who remain, comfort and hope. Amen.
How to prepare your soul for Christmas
- Make peace with someone. A phone call to someone you no longer speak to can be the most beautiful gift of the season.
- Go to confession and receive Holy Communion during the Nativity Fast, following the advice of your spiritual father.
- Give alms anonymously: a basket for a family in need, a visit to an elderly person who lives alone.
- Go to the Divine Liturgy on Christmas morning, even if the rest of the day is busy.
- Keep a moment of quiet between preparations: five minutes before the icon changes the tone of the whole day.
If the holidays bring old family tensions to the surface, you are not alone. Alongside prayer, the materials in the Unbindings for Family & Parents collection can help you look at these burdens differently. And for the start of the new year, there is also a prayer for 1 January.
Frequently asked questions
What prayer is said at Christmas?
The best known is the troparion of the Nativity of the Lord (“Your Nativity, O Christ our God…”). Besides it, you can say the Lord's Prayer and a prayer in your own words for your family and loved ones.
When is the troparion of the Nativity said?
From Christmas until the close of the feast, at the beginning of morning and evening prayers or before meals.
Can I pray for a particular wish at Christmas?
Yes. Tell God simply what is on your heart and end with “Thy will be done”. Christmas is a good time for gratitude, so you can begin by giving thanks for what you have received in the year that is ending.
Do I have to go to church on Christmas Day?
Taking part in the Divine Liturgy is the heart of the feast and is recommended for every believer. If illness or other serious reasons keep you at home, pray where you are during the hour of the service and listen to the Liturgy broadcast on radio or online.
