A Prayer

I went to Christmas Mass the other night to be with friends that came from out of town (and who did not have too much time to go around and visit).  
At the end of mass they handed out a little sheer mesh bags with a little baby Jesus in it and a prayer printed on card stock.
I'd never come across this prayer before and wanted to share it here.  

A Christmas Prayer

by Robert Louis Stevenson*

Loving Father, 
Help us remember the birth of Jesus, 
that we may share
in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds, 
and worship of the wise men. 

Close the door of hate
and open the door of love
all over the world. 
Let kindness come
with every gift 
and good desires
with every greeting. 
Deliver us from evil
by the blessing
which Christ brings, 
and teach us to be merry
with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning 
make us happy to be thy children, 
and Christmas evening
bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven, 
for Jesus' sake. Amen. 


[* Yes, the same Robert Louis Stevenson who wrote Treasure Island, and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde among others.]