A Prayer for Christmas Eve

December 24 / Luke 2:1–20 / By Esaias Heidenreich

We thank You, O eternal God, You who are a Father full of grace, comfort, and truth, that You, finally, according to the promises You made to the holy forefathers, patriarchs, and prophets, when the time was fulfilled, sent to us the blessed Seed, Jesus Christ, Your eternal and most beloved Son, who inseparably united our human nature with the divine nature into one Person. He has stilled Your great wrath against our sins and transgressions, extinguished the flames of hell, opened heaven, and restored life. Grant, O eternal God, that we never forget such great benefits, that we constantly hold them with faith's comfort and use them most beneficially. And help that, by the power and strength of Your Word and Spirit, we would be regenerated unto eternal dwelling and joy through the gracious incarnation of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior, so that we may, with Your holy angels, joyfully honor, praise, acknowledge, and love Your fatherly blessings in all eternity. Amen.

Esaias Heidenreich, Betbüchlein (1572)

Albrecht Dürer, The Nativity (c. 1502–1504)