A Mystical Prayer for Christmas

May We All Be Bearers of New-Born Love

Holy Mystery, Source of all Life and Love,
Today we celebrate the birth of a baby many years ago,
And we consider how we are called to give birth to you.
As the peasant girl Mary gave her child Jesus his life,
May we enter the labor of delivering infinite kindness, compassion, and mercy to all.
Guide us into your perfection, where we share your grace with the entire world,
Without judgment, without discrimination,
Without any criteria to limit our generosity.
May our birth pangs be an act of worship for you,
Screaming your name in ecstasy and joy,
Fearless in our devotion to you, grounded in your call to bring forth peace.

We know you are lavish in your benevolence, abundant in your largesse,
Surprising in the many ways you call us into wonder and elation.
Nurture us in your felicity, equipping us to be god-bearers even to those
Who have surrendered their lives to fear, bitterness, hatred, and grasping.
May we meet everyone, no matter the condition of their hearts,
With your cheer, your empathy, your tenderness, and your clear equanimity.

May we respond to trauma with healing, to oppression with justice,
To conflict with peace, to sorrow with comfort,
To alienation with reconciliation, to despair with hopeful trust.

Again, we pray: give us the gift of giving birth to you,
That your bliss may be the birthright of all.

This we prayer in your sacred, unfathomable name,
Amen.