The Orthodox Christmas Prayer Book

About this book

When the Orthodox family gathers for Christmas, there is more to prepare than the meal, the gifts, and the decorations.There is a heart to prepare. THE ORTHODOX CHRISTMAS PRAYER BOOK invites you and your family to slow down, turn toward Christ, and enter the Nativity season with greater prayer, understanding, and reverence. Beginning with the Nativity Fast, this prayer book leads you through the spiritual preparation for Christmas, the mystery of Christ's Incarnation, the Nativity story, the worship and traditions of the Orthodox Church, and the celebration of the Twelve Days of Nativity. Inside, you will find: Prayers for the Nativity Fast, including prayers for repentance, strength, mercy, and generosity Reflections on the mystery of Christ becoming man and what His Nativity means for our salvation The Nativity story presented carefully through Scripture, without adding imagined details to the biblical account Reflections on the Theotokos, Saint Joseph, the shepherds, the Magi, the Nativity icon, hymns, and Orthodox worship Prayers for Christmas Eve, Christmas morning, before Divine Liturgy, thanksgiving, and prayer before the Nativity icon Practical guidance for keeping Christ at the center of Christmas amid gifts, meals, family gatherings, entertainment, and other traditions Prayers for husbands and wives, parents and children, the sick, those in need, the lonely and grieving, those far from home, and the departed A simple twelve-day journey through the Nativity season, with Scripture, reflection, prayer, and a practical way to live each day's theme A thoughtful introduction to Theophany, the Baptism of Christ, the revelation of the Holy Trinity, and the blessing of the waters Prayers for receiving blessed water, sanctifying the home, and beginning a new year with repentance, gratitude, and renewed faith A year-round Orthodox Prayer Treasury with prayers for morning, evening, meals, thanksgiving, repentance, trouble, healing, guidance, the Theotokos, and the departed Whether you are preparing for the Nativity Fast, praying quietly before the Christmas service, gathering your family around the Nativity icon, or carrying the joy of the feast into the new year, these pages are designed to be prayed with, not simply read.The Orthodox Christmas season does not end when the Christmas meal is finished or the decorations come down.It leads us from Bethlehem to the Jordan, from the mystery of the Incarnation to the revelation of Christ at Theophany, and from the celebration of the feast back into ordinary life.May these prayers help you prepare with humility, celebrate with gratitude, pray with those you love, and keep your heart attentive to Christ throughout the season. Christ is born. Glorify Him.