Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP has continued his annual tradition of writing a prayer for grace that people might use at Christmas dinner or lunch. So now there’s no excuse for not thanking the Reason for the Season.
Here is Archbishop Anthony’s prayer of grace:
God of Christmas and of every day, giver of all good gifts,
We thank you for the many ways you have blessed us.
We are grateful for each person gathered around this table.
Bless us, our food and our company today. Bless those we love who are not with us.
With gratitude and love, we remember your humble birth into our lives and so pray for those without food or family or friendship at this time.
We remember the stable in which you were born and so pray for those with no place to live.
We remember your flight into Egypt and so pray for persecuted Christians and for refugees at this time.
We join your angels in giving glory to God in the highest and so pray for peace and goodwill on earth.
Help us to see what really matters and to respond with faith, hope and love.
Make of our hearts a crib in which to place the Christ child.
Keep us safe and close to you in the year ahead.
For you are our Christmas Lord, now and forever. Amen.