Christmas is the celebration of Jesus, God’s greatest gift to us, coming into our lives. At this time, Jesus—the Word of God—tells us again that he is the God we are in search of and that he has come into our midst.

Christmas is also a season of gift giving, a tradition that originally centered on the Feast of the Epiphany, commemorating the visit of the Magi and the revelation of the Lord to the whole world.

See Liturgical Calendar–Seasons–Christmas for additional background information and prayer.


"Being a Light to the World" – Prayer Celebration Notes

Focus		Accepting the challenge to be a light to the world
Materials		Prayer table with Bible and candle, music, candles for all participants, bowl of salt
Reading		Matthew 5:13-16; Psalm 27
Music		"This Little Light of Mine," Spiritual; "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," (VENI, VENI EMMANUEL, LM); "Come Emmanuel," "Glory to God," Blest Are We CD 7-8; "I Rejoiced," [Instrumental, "Gathered as One," Blest Are We – Parish Program, CD 6
Preparation		Discuss the challenge from John Paul II at Youth Day 2002 for young people to be "the salt of the earth and light of the world." Print out and photocopy the liturgy, "Being a Light to the World." Select a leader and readers.
Adaptation		Have participants, in advance, create their own litany for light and salt to be prayed during the liturgy.
Additional Materials		For a full year of liturgies, from which this one was adapted, see Prayer Celebrations, Middle School Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-30570-1 Blest Are We CD, Level/Grade 7-8 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36394-9 Blest Are We Song Book for Grades 1-8, School Edition Words and melody for students; contains music for grades 1-6 (school) and 7-8 (parish and school) Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36617-4 Blest Are We Accompaniment Book for Grades 1-8, School Edition Contains accompaniment music for grades 1-6 (school) and 7-8 (parish and school) Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36618-2