Christmas Prayers and Blessings for Family

Christmas brings families together around tables, trees and candlelit church services, and those are the moments when a short prayer means the most. Someone is asked to say grace before the Christmas dinner, a parent tucks the children in on Christmas Eve, or a grandmother wants to send a prayer to grandchildren far away. Below are more than 50 original Christmas prayers: short prayers, Christmas Eve prayers, Christmas dinner prayers, prayers for children and family, and gentle prayers for a hard Christmas. For blessings for every season, see our holiday blessings.

Short Christmas Prayers

These take just a few seconds to say or send. They are lovely for a text, a card or a quiet moment by the tree. For Christmas wishes to write in cards, see our main collection of Christmas blessings.

1. Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to us. Fill our hearts with Your peace this Christmas. Amen.
2. Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son. Let His love shine in our home today and always. Amen.
3. God, bless every home celebrating Christmas tonight with peace and joy. Amen.
4. Jesus, Light of the world, shine in every dark place this Christmas. Amen.
5. Lord, thank You for the greatest gift of all. Help us share it freely. Amen.
6. Father, let the wonder of Christmas fill our hearts again. Amen.
7. Emmanuel, God with us, be near to everyone who needs You this Christmas. Amen.
8. Lord, slow us down this season so we can see You in the small moments. Amen.

Christmas Eve Prayers

Christmas Eve is full of quiet wonder. These prayers fit a candlelight service, a family reading of the Christmas story or the last moments before bed.

9. Lord, on this holy night, we remember that You came as a child to bring us hope. Thank You. Amen.
10. Father, as we wait for Christmas morning, quiet our hearts and fill them with the wonder of Your love. Amen.
11. Jesus, we welcome You into our home tonight, just as the shepherds welcomed You in Bethlehem. Amen.
12. God, thank You for this silent night and the peace it brings. Watch over us as we sleep. Amen.
13. Lord, bless everyone traveling tonight to be with family. Bring them home safely. Amen.
14. Father, as we light candles tonight, remind us that Jesus is the Light no darkness can overcome. Amen.
15. Jesus, thank You for leaving heaven to be with us. Help us make room for You. Amen.
16. Lord, on this Christmas Eve, bless the children who are too excited to sleep. Amen.

Waiting for Christmas starts weeks earlier. Our Advent blessings help families prepare their hearts week by week.

Christmas Dinner Prayers

When the family gathers around the Christmas table, a short prayer turns the meal into worship. For everyday graces, see our prayer before meals collection.

17. Lord, thank You for this food, this family and the birth of our Savior. Bless our Christmas meal. Amen.
18. Father, as we gather around this table, we thank You for the gift of Jesus and the gift of each other. Amen.
19. God, thank You for the hands that prepared this feast and the hearts gathered here. Amen.
20. Jesus, You are the reason we celebrate. Be our honored guest at this table. Amen.
21. Lord, bless this meal and every conversation we share today. Let Your peace rule in our hearts. Amen.
22. Father, we remember those who are hungry or alone this Christmas. Show us how to help. Amen.
23. God, thank You for another Christmas together. We do not take it for granted. Amen.
24. Lord, as we enjoy this feast, help us remember the humble manger where Your Son was laid. Amen.

Christmas Prayers for Children

Short, simple prayers children can say on their own, at bedtime or at the table.

25. Thank You, God, for baby Jesus. Happy birthday, Jesus! Amen.
26. Dear God, thank You for Christmas, my family and all the love in our home. Amen.
27. Jesus, thank You for coming to earth because You love us. Amen.
28. Dear God, help me be kind and share with others this Christmas. Amen.
29. Thank You, God, for presents, cookies and Christmas lights. Most of all, thank You for Jesus. Amen.
30. Dear Jesus, please be with children who do not have a happy Christmas. Amen.
31. God, thank You for my grandparents and everyone who loves me. Amen.

Christmas Prayers for Family

These prayers are for parents, grandparents and family members near and far. For more ways to pray for the people at home, see our family blessings.

32. Lord, bless our family this Christmas. Keep us close to each other and closer to You. Amen.
33. Father, thank You for every Christmas we have shared. Bless the ones still to come. Amen.
34. God, bless our children and grandchildren. May they always know the love that came at Christmas. Amen.
35. Lord, heal any hurt in our family this Christmas. Bring forgiveness where it is needed. Amen.
36. Jesus, bless the family members who cannot be with us this year. Hold them close wherever they are. Amen.
37. Father, thank You for the gift of marriage, children and home. Bless our family in the year ahead. Amen.
38. Lord, may our home be a place of peace, laughter and grace this Christmas. Amen.
39. God, thank You for the faith passed down through our family. Help us pass it on. Amen.
40. Father, bless the new members of our family this Christmas, the babies, the in-laws and the friends who feel like family. Amen.

Christmas Prayers for a Hard Christmas

For some families, Christmas comes after a loss, an illness or a difficult year. These prayers make room for grief alongside hope.

41. Lord, this Christmas is hard. Thank You for being Emmanuel, God with us, even here. Amen.
42. Father, we miss the ones who are not at our table. Comfort us and give us hope in You. Amen.
43. Jesus, You came into a dark world. Come into the dark places of our hearts this Christmas. Amen.
44. God, give strength to everyone spending Christmas in a hospital or caring for someone who is sick. Amen.
45. Lord, comfort the lonely this Christmas. Send someone to show them Your love. Amen.
46. Father, when Christmas joy feels far away, remind us that hope was born in a stable. Amen.
47. Jesus, be near to every family facing an empty chair this year. Amen.
48. Lord, carry us through this season one day at a time. Amen.
49. God, bless those working on Christmas Day, keeping others safe and well. Amen.
50. Father, even in sorrow, we thank You for the gift of Your Son. Amen.
51. Lord, give peace to every heart that is tired this Christmas. Amen.
52. Jesus, thank You that Your love does not depend on how merry we feel. Amen.

Bible Verses for Christmas Prayers

Many families open or close a Christmas prayer with a verse. These are quoted from the King James Version (KJV). See our scripture sources and translations page for how we check every verse.

• Luke 2:14 (KJV): “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” A beautiful opening line for Christmas grace.
• Isaiah 9:6 (KJV): “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Read it aloud before the Christmas Eve prayer.
• Matthew 1:23 (KJV): “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” A comfort for a hard Christmas.
• John 1:14 (KJV): “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” A thoughtful verse for family devotions.
• 2 Corinthians 9:15 (KJV): “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” Short enough to close any Christmas prayer.
• Colossians 3:15 (KJV): “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” Lovely for a family gathered at the table.

For more, see our full collection of Christmas Bible verses.

How to Lead a Christmas Prayer

• Keep it short. Thirty seconds is plenty when the food is hot and the children are excited.
• Read the story first. On Christmas Eve, read Luke 2 aloud, then pray a short prayer together.
• Let the children lead. Kids love praying a short Christmas prayer for the family.
• Name the people you miss. A gentle mention of loved ones who are not at the table makes room for grief.
• Share with care. Our Christmas prayer images are free to save, text and pin for personal use. Please read our image license and sharing terms before posting them on a business page.

Looking back at November? Our Thanksgiving blessings are ready for next year.

After the holidays, keep encouraging your people with Monday blessings for friends to start the new week.

And for a midweek note, our Tuesday blessings for friends are a simple way to stay in touch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pray Together This Christmas

A Christmas prayer does not need to be long or perfect. It only needs to be sincere. Pick a prayer above, say it at the table or send it to someone you love, and let the peace of Christmas fill your home. Save your favorite Christmas prayer image to Pinterest so it is ready for next year too.