Choosing a Eucharistic Prayer for the Season of Christmas

The season of Christmas invites us into the wonder of the incarnation, the profound mystery of the Word made flesh. This pivotal moment in the Christian story shapes our worship and calls us to celebrate the reality of God dwelling among us. Choosing a Eucharistic Prayer reflecting this theological richness is an essential consideration for clergy and worship leaders as we seek to create liturgies that resonate with the season's spirit.

The 1979 Book of Common Prayer and Christmas

The 1979 Book of Common Prayer, Eucharistic Prayer B stands out as an excellent choice for Christmas. Its theological focus on the incarnation makes it a natural fit for this season. Consider these lines:

“In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.”

When paired with the Preface of the Nativity, which proclaims the mystery of Christ’s birth, this prayer powerfully articulates God’s love revealed in Jesus.

“Because you gave Jesus Christ, your only Son, to be born for us; who, by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, was made perfect Man of the flesh of the Virgin Mary, his mother; so that we might be delivered from the bondage of sin, and receive power to become your children.”

The incarnation is at the heart of Christmas, and Eucharistic Prayer B eloquently and reverently proclaims this truth.

Enriching Our Worship and Christmas

In Enriching Our Worship, Eucharistic Prayer 2 is particularly well-suited for Christmas. Its emphasis on God’s cosmic work and the incarnation aligns beautifully with the season's themes. The prayer includes these poignant words:

“You looked with favor upon Mary, your willing servant, that she might conceive and bear a son, Jesus, the holy child of God. Living among us, Jesus loved us. He broke bread with outcasts and sinners, healed the sick, and proclaimed good news to the poor.”

This prayer draws our attention to God’s dwelling among us in Christ, reflecting the joyful proclamation of Christmas that God has entered into the fullness of human experience. The expansive language of Prayer 2 also invites a universal vision of redemption, capturing the inclusivity of Christ’s birth as good news for all creation.

Pastoral Considerations

When selecting a Eucharistic Prayer for Christmas, it’s essential to consider the local context and the congregation’s spiritual needs. While Enriching Our Worship and the Book of Common Prayer offers rich options, the chosen prayer should amplify the themes of God’s love, the joy of Christ’s birth, and the hope of redemption.

Ultimately, the Eucharistic Prayer is not just a liturgical choice but a theological proclamation. As we gather around the table during Christmas, the words we pray can deepen our awareness of the mystery we celebrate: Emmanuel, God with us.

Whether you turn to the 1979 Book of Common Prayer or Enriching Our Worship, Christmas offers an opportunity to lift up the incarnation in ways that draw the faithful into the beauty and depth of the Word-made flesh. Eucharistic Prayer 2 from Enriching Our Worship and Eucharistic Prayer B from the Book of Common Prayer each provides language that celebrates the mystery of Christ’s birth, helping us proclaim anew the joy of Christmas: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.”