Gather the nations to be one family. Following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto at an election rally on Thursday 27 December, these words take on even more meaning.

The First Sunday of Christmas

God in Trinity,
eternal unity of perfect love:
gather the nations to be one family,
and draw us into your holy life
through the birth of Emmanuel,
our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Additional Collect for The First Sunday of Christmas
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council

The peoples of the world seem to be intent on tearing themselves apart, rather than striving towards a lasting peace. I pray that some day, through the eternal unity of perfect love that is God, the nations may be gathered together to be one family, leading a holy life.

Kneel in wonder at heaven touching earth. Powerful words. And an amazing thought. We can actually witness heaven touching earth. Heaven touches earth at the birth of the Christ-child.

Christmas Night

Eternal God,
in the stillness of this night
you sent your almighty Word
to pierce the world’s darkness with the light of salvation:
give to the earth the peace that we long for
and fill our hearts with the joy of heaven
through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Christmas Day

Lord Jesus Christ,
your birth at Bethlehem
draws us to kneel in wonder at heaven touching earth:
accept our heartfelt praise as we worship you,
our Saviour and our eternal God. Amen.

Additional Collects for Christmas Night and Christmas Day
are Copyright © The Archbishops Council

Those prayers are the Church-of-England Additional Collects for Christmas Night and Christmas Day. They’re two of my favourite prayers.

Let us hope that in the touching together of heaven and earth, our darkness will be pierced, and we will find the peace that we are longing for, so that our hearts will be filled with the joy of heaven.