Advent Peace Prayer for Newborn Babies

God our Creator, Ancient of Days,
even as we give thanks for Jesus’ birth,
you behold it happening.
You are beyond time.
You are always sending an angel to Mary,
to Joseph, to the shepherds,
you are always coming again to us,
with good news of great joy
which shall be to all people.
Hear our prayer of thanks
for all you have done, are doing, will do
to save us from our sins.
Thank you for hope that shines out
in the eyes of every newborn child,
regardless of the circumstances of their birth.
Babies born to unwed mothers,
babies born on the road, or in refugee camps,
babies born without a savings plan,
babies arriving needing to nurtured.
You come to us in the least of these.
The cry of the newborn is your cry.
Open our eyes to see you,
and our arms to embrace you.
Open our ears to hear your tiny voice
and our wallets to support you.
Remind us that we were the newborn once.
This Christmas, as we adore Jesus in the manger,
Christ is born again in our hearts, who knows how,
wherever a child is welcomed,
wherever a baby is held.
Emmanuel, God with us, world without end, Amen.