The Christmas season is upon us, and for many of us that means it is the first time we will be spending Christmas without a loved one. For most people, this can feel like an overwhelming experience.
We all grieve differently – I know I remember my first Christmas without my eldest brother. It was a time of mixed emotions. I felt sad, empty and even angry that he was gone for good – but at the same time, there were moments where it seemed like Christmas was something my brother would have loved.
I thought about what some of his favorite traditions might be while preparing this blog post with seven prayers to say during your first Christmas without a loved one.
May these prayers help to guide you through this difficult time.
Prayers for Your First Christmas Without a Loved One
Some of these are shorter, some are longer – and some have gaps to insert your loved one’s name into the prayer.
Prayer 1
Dear Lord Jesus, I pray that you will be with me in spirit as I celebrate the birth of your son. May you bless my family and friends with peace and joy during this holiday season, and help us with our grieving process. Amen.
Prayer 2
Dear Lord Jesus, I pray that you will be with my family during this holiday season. Please bless them with peace and joy as they celebrate together. Help them to remember the true meaning of Christmas.
May they feel the warmth of your presence in their hearts and homes, despite the absence of (insert name). And may they always look forward to celebrating your birth again next year. Amen.
Prayer 3
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of life. You are the reason why we celebrate the birth of your son. We pray that your spirit will comfort our loss this holiday season.
Help us to know that we are not alone in our grief. Give others experiencing this heartache the strength to move forward with faith and courage. Amen.
Prayer 4
Dear Father in Heaven, I pray that you will bless my family with health and happiness during this holiday season. Please help them to be thankful for what they do have, and not to worry about what they don’t.
Help them to remember that even if their present circumstances and tragic loss is difficult, they still have each other and the joys of life. And please give them wisdom and understanding as they face the challenges ahead. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Prayer 5
Dear Father in Heaven, I ask that you bless my family as they celebrate their first Christmas without my mother/father. She/he died on (date) and I know she/he would be happy with what her children are doing to honor her/his memory.
Please help them remember her/him in a special way. Help them find joy in each other’s company and make memories together. Bless them with peace and happiness. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Prayer 6
Dear Lord Jesus, please be with us during this time of year. Please comfort us as we remember those who are no longer with us. We ask that you would bring them peace in their final resting place. And we pray for those who are grieving right now. May they find strength in knowing that you are here with them, and will never leave them. Amen.
Prayer 7
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for giving us the gift of life. Thank you that you are with us in spirit. We ask that you bless us as we celebrate this special time of year. Help us to remember those whom we have lost and to be thankful for those who remain. In your holy name we pray. Amen.
I hope that these prayers give you comfort during your first Christmas without a loved one. May you find the strength and courage to continue on, knowing that God has not forgotten you!
No matter who you have lost, you are not alone. I pray that you find peace and joy during this holiday season.