"Look to the Tree!"
Prayers for Present Opening

The following are some thoughts and prayers that reflect the greatest Christmas gift of all, the birth of Christ, our Savior, who was sent to free us from our sins!

Look at the gifts, scattered and stacked beneath the tree. What is their source? Where did they come from? Aunt Ruth? Cousin Joe? Sister Sue? One of the kids? Grandpa?

Look to the tree. It holds in its branches the answer. Look where it points to the sky, to heaven where God reigns as King! Its needles, ever green, proclaim the Lord of LIFE!

And, as angels, aglow with GodŐs glory, once sang Christmas praises, "Glory to God in the highest heaven", so the tree also glows in echoing refrain. "Glory to God," the tree whispers.

And we join our voices with trees and angels, with shepherds and wise men. "Glory to God!" we shout. "Glory to God, who gave not only these gifts, but love, and life and Christ our Lord!"


Before the Gifts Are Open

What a treasure trove is laid before us-boxes and packages piled high for our enjoyment. Each represents a special relationship. Each is a symbol of heartfelt love. Thank you, Lord. For you have given us our family and our friends. You have given us the love that we share. So you are ... you truly are ... the source of all of these gifts ... and so much more. For we celebrate, this day, with packages and presents, with songs and laughs and special food, the greatest gift ever given-your Son, laid in Bethlehem's manger, given that we might have life and light and love. Thank you, Lord. Thank you for this, and for that, and for every good thing. Amen.


After the Gifts Are Open

Lord Jesus Christ; The gifts are opened. The surprises are shared. The long-awaited day is here, and soon will be a happy memory. Soon the shredded wrapping paper will be carted away. The gifts will find their places in our homes. The tree will be dismantled. Yet, savor with us, one moment more, the anxious joy and happy feelings of this moment. Help us to take them with us throughout the coming year. And stay with us, yourself, 0 Lord. Come with us. Make your Christmas presence evident in our lives. Then we will be ever-green with your life. Then we, like the tree, will always point to you! Amen.


In Praise of God's Great Gift

The angel said, "A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger." At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises: "Glory to God in the heavenly heights, peace to all men and women on earth who please him." -Luke 2



"Look to the Tree", Copyright 1998 by Creative Communications for the Parish, St. Louis MO, by Peter Mead.

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