Opening Prayer:

Let us pray that God will fill us with joy at the coming of Christ.

Lord God, may we, your people, who look forward to the birthday of Christ experience the joy of salvation and celebrate that feast with love and thanksgiving.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Closing Prayer:
I lift my heart up to you, Lord, to thank you for the blessings you shower on me each day.

You are the joy of my soul.

I know that in your great love, I am held and protected by you.

I pray and listen to the good news you send; I ask and feel the healing.

I am freed by you from the things in this world that let me hide from you.

I rejoice, I rejoice, down to my soul.

Help me to prepare my heart to be open and able to receive your immense love.

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life.

Amen.

Printed with permission from Catholic Expert.

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