Christmas is loud, busy and full of people you love, and sometimes that makes it hard to stop and actually pray together. A short Christmas prayer for family gives everyone one quiet moment to remember why you’re gathered: God came close to us, and He is still close to your family tonight.
Below are short Christmas prayers you can read aloud at dinner, on Christmas Eve, on Christmas morning, or over a family that’s spread out this year. Each one takes under a minute. Pick one, hand it to whoever is willing to read, and let the table be still for a moment.
Need one right now? A 1-minute Christmas prayer for family
Father, thank You for sending Jesus to be with us. Thank You for every person at this table and every person we’re missing tonight. Fill our home with Your peace, our words with kindness and our hearts with joy. Bless this food, bless this family, and stay close to us all year long. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“”The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).”
Matthew 1:23 (NIV)
10 short Christmas prayers for family
1. A Christmas dinner prayer for family
Lord, thank You for this meal, for the hands that made it and for the people gathered to share it. As we eat together, help us listen well, laugh easily and leave old arguments at the door. Thank You for the greatest gift of all, Your Son. Amen.
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”
2 Corinthians 9:15 (NIV)
2. A short Christmas Eve prayer for family
God, on this quiet night we remember the night Jesus was born. The world was busy then too, and You came anyway. Quiet our hearts tonight. Let our family feel the wonder of Christmas again, and fill this home with the peace the angels sang about. Amen.
“”Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.””
Luke 2:14 (NIV)
3. A Christmas morning prayer
Good morning, Lord. Before the wrapping paper and the coffee, we stop to say thank You. Thank You for Jesus, the gift that doesn’t wear out or go out of style. Help us be grateful for what we receive today and generous with what we give. Amen.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 (NIV)
4. A Christmas blessing over your family
Father, I place my family in Your hands this Christmas. Bless each one by name. Protect our children, strengthen our marriages, heal what is hurting and draw anyone who feels far from You a little closer this year. Let our home be a place where Your love is easy to see. Amen.
“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)
5. A Christmas prayer for a family that’s apart
Lord, not everyone we love is at this table. Some are working, some are far away, some couldn’t come. Be with each of them right where they are. Wrap them in Your love tonight, keep them safe on the road and bring us back together soon. Amen.
“The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
Psalm 121:7-8 (NIV)
If someone is traveling home this week, our prayer for safe travel is a good one to send them.
6. A Christmas prayer for a family going through a hard year
God, this Christmas looks different than we hoped. Money is tight, or health is fragile, or our hearts are tired. Thank You that Jesus came into a hard world, not a perfect one. Meet us in what is hard tonight and give us real hope for the year ahead. Amen.
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”
Isaiah 9:2 (NIV)
7. A Christmas prayer for peace in the family
Prince of Peace, You know the tension some of us carry into this holiday. Guard our tongues. Help us choose patience over winning, grace over old scores and kindness over being right. Let Your peace be louder than our differences today. Amen.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)
For homes where the tension runs deeper, see our prayer for unity in the home.
8. A Christmas prayer for children
Jesus, thank You for the excitement in our kids’ eyes. Help them understand that Christmas is about You and not only about presents. Give them hearts that love You, love others and know that they are deeply loved. Amen.
9. A Christmas table prayer when someone is missing
Lord, there is an empty chair at our table this year, and we feel it. Thank You for the years we had together. Comfort every heart here that is grieving tonight, and help us hold both the sorrow and the joy of Christmas. Amen.
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
If this is your family’s first holiday after a loss, our page on grieving during the holidays has more prayers for the empty chair.
10. A short Christmas prayer for family and friends
Thank You, God, for the friends who feel like family and the family who are our friends. Bless everyone who walked with us this year. May Christmas remind each of us that we are not alone, because You are Immanuel, God with us. Amen.
How to lead a Christmas prayer at the table (even if you’re nervous)
- Keep it short. Thirty seconds is plenty. Hungry people and young kids will thank you.
- Read it. It’s fine to pull this page up on your phone. Nobody needs a sermon.
- Invite one line from each person. Go around the table: “This year I’m thankful for…” then close with the prayer.
- Light a candle. Lighting one candle before you pray signals that Jesus is the light of the world and gives kids something to watch.
- Remember the missing. Saying a name out loud gives grieving people permission to feel what they feel.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
John 1:5 (NIV)
Bible verses for a family Christmas
Read one of these before you eat or write it in a Christmas card:
- Luke 2:19, “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (NIV)
- 1 John 4:9, “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” (NIV)
- Titus 2:11, “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.” (NIV)
- Psalm 133:1, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” (NIV)
Our free printable Bible verse cards make easy place cards for the Christmas table.
Keep the peace going after Christmas
The holidays can stir up a lot: joy, grief, money stress, family tension. If you find yourself lying awake after everyone goes home, get 7 Nights of Peace, a free short bedtime prayer in your inbox each night for a week. For a prayer for any other moment this season, see what to pray when, our prayer for family, or our Thanksgiving prayers for your table.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good short Christmas prayer for family?
“Father, thank You for sending Jesus. Bless this family, this food and this home. Fill us with Your peace and joy today. Amen.” Short and simple works best when everyone is gathered and hungry.
Who should pray at Christmas dinner?
Anyone willing. Many families let the host, a grandparent or a child pray. You can also read a prayer from this page together, or have each person share one thing they’re thankful for first.
What Bible verse is good to read on Christmas Eve?
Luke 2:10-11 and Luke 2:14 are classic Christmas Eve readings, and Isaiah 9:6 and Matthew 1:23 remind everyone who Jesus is: the Prince of Peace and “God with us.”
Keep reading
Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.