Prayer at the Feast of the Nativity

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for coming here and sharing our human state with us. Thank You for coming here to look for us, lost sheep that we are. Thank you for what You endured throughout Your earthly life to save us from the power of the Enemy and from eternal death.

Open for us this mystery of Your Incarnation wherein You have made it possible for us to become like you. Let this mystery be at the center of our lives, our prayer, our thanksgiving, and our growing relationship with You. Make us more like you every day--more forgiving, more loving, more patient, more gentle, more long-suffering toward each other. Make us the living icons You wish us to be and the living Gospel that may be the only record of You that others may ever see in this world.

Stay with us always and never let us be parted from You. Give us the grace each day and each moment to do only those things which are pleasing to You. Show us Your kindness, keep us close to You always, pray through us so that our prayers may be Your own, and then direct us and our lives, from this moment on, as You will.

Let us do only those things that are well-pleasing to You in this life and by our lives give glory to You and to Your Father Who is from everlasting. Keep us open to the Holy Spirit's prompting to be your Eyes to seek out, Your Ears to listen, Your Voice to encourage and to pray, Your Hands to work, Your Arms to embrace, and Your legs to carry us wherever You need Your Presence to be.

AMEN.

Holy Mother of God, pray for us always. Spread your Protecting Veil over us and give to us your motherly compassion as you gave it to God the Word as you held Him in your arms. You, Our Mother, are a gift from your Son on the Cross. Show us a mother's concern now and always. AMEN.

May each of you who have celebrated this Holy Feast and you who will soon celebrate it be embraced by the Mother of God as was the Infant Jesus. May she hold you in her heart now and always.

Your brtoerh, BOB