300 Quotations and Prayers

for Christmas

Elliot Ritzema

Editor

Lexham Press, 2013

300 Quotations and Prayers for Christmas

Pastorum Series

Copyright 2013 Lexham Press
Lexham Press, 1313 Commercial St., Bellingham, WA 98225

http://www.lexhampress.com

We encourage you to use the slides in presentations. You may also use the quotations in presentations, articles, and books. For all other uses, email us for permission: permissions@lexhampress.com.

All Scripture quotations are from the Lexham English Bible (leb). Copyright 2013 Lexham Press.

Introduction

Christmas has the reputation of being “the most wonderful time of the year,” and rightly so. We experience the joy and anticipation of putting up decorations, wrapping gifts, and gathering together with family, all while slurping copious amounts of eggnog. Yet the source of the joy and anticipation we feel this time of year is not in any of these things. We rejoice in the birth of Jesus, and we anticipate His return in glory.

For pastors, this time of year presents a unique opportunity—and a challenge. On the one hand, it is an opportunity because everyone is thinking about Christmas. On the other hand, it is difficult to direct people’s attention to this greatest source of joy in the midst of busyness and distraction. Doing so is no small task, and I hope that pastors and communicators will find 300 Quotations and Prayers for Christmas a helpful resource for planning worship services. Like the previous volumes in this series (300 Quotations for Preachers, 400 Quotations for Preachers, and the 1,500 Quotations collection), each quotation and prayer in this book is categorized by theme and Scripture reference. Each is also accompanied by a professionally designed slide to use in presentations.

The title 300 Quotations and Prayers for Christmas is somewhat misleading. This volume of 250 quotations and 50 prayers features some extras. I have also included 30 Bible passages that are often quoted around Christmas, as well as five Christmas-themed benedictions. The quotations and prayers are organized under three headings: Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. Advent includes those quotations and prayers that have a forward-looking feel. They look forward to celebrating Christ’s birth, as well as His second coming. Christmas quotations and prayers celebrate the birth of Jesus and reflect on the meaning and significance of God becoming human. Epiphany quotations and prayers celebrate the revelation of God in Christ to all of humanity, as represented by the wise men who came to visit Jesus after His birth. There is some overlap between these categories, but in general I believe these headings will be most helpful.

Thanks to Lazarus Wentz and Rebecca Brant for their work on this project. Thanks also to my pastor, Paul Petersen, who shared with me some of the quotations and prayers that he has used in worship services. Finally, thanks to Handel, Sufjan Stevens, Bing Crosby, and the Vince Guaraldi Trio, whose music ...