My God, who has mercifully and patiently led me through this busy year, giving more than I asked or deserved, grant me at this Christmas time, the grace of Jesus Christ.  Let the gracious spirit of Jesus, “the spirit of the little child,” as it knocks at hearts, enter my life and bless it. 

Let duty become touched with beauty, and justice be forgotten in love.  At other times I ask that I may do my duty; today I ask for more, that obligations may be changed to opportunities and duty done with joy.  At other times I ask that I may walk uprightly; today I pray for grace to bow myself to others’ needs.     

Let my ears hear the cry of the needy and my heart feel the love of the unlovely.  Give my hands strength not to do great things but to do small things graciously. 

Let me accept kindness with humility.  Heal the wound of misunderstanding, jealousy, or regret that scars my heart and let the gentler air of the dear Christmas spirit touch my life as the cold winter is touched by the gentler days of spring. 

As the old year ends, and the new year begins, grant me peace in my own heart; that those I love and those I may help may have sweet joy and rest.