Father in heaven,
The Christmas gifts we gratefully receive today–if we are among those so fortunate to enjoy any gifts celebrating your Son’s Advent–are but pale reflections and fading echoes of all the gifts you have graciously already given us, on this day, in this year, and during the whole of our lives.
In fact, if we were to stop and consider all that you have so faithfully provided for us, over whatever span of time we choose, no doubt we would be overwhelmed by thankfulness, even as we acknowledge that we would probably forget the bulk of your innumerable kindnesses. We are, even on our best days, weak and and selfish recipients of your bounty. Still, we pause now to render our poor and pitiful sacrifice of praise, knowing that you will be well pleased.
We thank you most especially this day for the Gift of all gifts, your Son, who came to earth not just to show us how to live, but to provide real, unending Life via his death and resurrection on behalf of all who will simply trust in him.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
