Abrahamic / Middle Eastern Christianity A Classic Prayer to Jesus in the Manger Share Flipboard Email Print Godong / UIG / Getty Images Christianity Catholicism Prayers Beliefs and Teachings Tips Worship Saints Holy Days and Holidays Christianity Origins The Bible The New Testament The Old Testament Practical Tools for Christians Christian Life For Teens Christian Prayers Weddings Inspirational Bible Devotions Denominations of Christianity Christian Holidays Christian Entertainment Key Terms in Christianity Latter Day Saints View More By Scott P. Richert Scott P. Richert Catholicism Expert M.A., Political Theory, Catholic University of America B.A., Political Theory, Michigan State University Scott P. Richert is senior content network manager of Our Sunday Visitor. He has written about Catholicism for outlets including Humanitas and Catholic Answers Magazine. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on April 08, 2018 Catholics traditionally leave the Christ child out of their decorative nativity scenes until after midnight mass on Christmas Eve. The moment of placing the Christ child figurine is often accompanied by some kind of formal prayer or observance by the entire family. The following prayer is an ideal one for the whole family to recite in front of the nativity scene after the Christ child is placed in the manger. The phrasing of the prayer acknowledges that the Christ child is fully God as well as true man, and it allows followers to recognize the sacrifice by which God became man in order to live and suffer with us. The prayer allows followers to symbolically enter into the scene with Joseph, Mary, the angels and shepherds in order to see Him as they did, and it creates a feeling of deep and meaningful union with Christ. Followers may want to print a copy of the prayer and keep in near the manger, in order to pray it frequently on Christmas day and throughout the Christmas season. The Prayer O Divine Redeemer Jesus Christ, prostrate before Thy crib, I believe Thou art the God of infinite Majesty, even though I do see Thee here as a helpless babe. I humbly adore and thank Thee for having so humbled Thyself for my salvation as to will to be born in a stable. I thank Thee for all Thou didst wish to suffer for me in Bethlehem, for Thy poverty and humility, for Thy nakedness, tears, cold and sufferings. Would that I could show Thee that tenderness which Thy Virgin Mother had toward Thee, and love Thee as she did. Would that I could praise Thee with the joy of the angels, that I could kneel before Thee with the faith of St. Joseph, the simplicity of the shepherds. Uniting myself with these first adorers at the crib, I offer Thee the homage of my heart, and I beg that Thou wouldst be born spiritually in my soul. Make me reflect in some degree the virtues of Thy admirable nativity. Fill me with that spirit of renunciation, of poverty, of humility, which prompted Thee to assume the weakness of our nature, and to be born amid destitution and suffering. Grant that from this day forward, I may in all things seek Thy greater glory, and may enjoy that peace promised to men of good will. Definition of Words Used in the Prayer Prostrate: face down; in this case, kneeling before the manger Simplicity: in this case, the quality of the shepherds that made them close to nature Adorers: those who worship or venerate someone or something; in this case, Christ Homage: public honor or respect paid to someone important; in this case, Christ Renunciation: rejecting something either bad or good for the sake of something better Destitution: extreme poverty Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Richert, Scott P. "A Classic Prayer to Jesus in the Manger." Learn Religions, Sep. 15, 2021, learnreligions.com/prayer-to-jesus-in-the-manger-542671. Richert, Scott P. (2021, September 15). A Classic Prayer to Jesus in the Manger. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/prayer-to-jesus-in-the-manger-542671 Richert, Scott P. "A Classic Prayer to Jesus in the Manger." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/prayer-to-jesus-in-the-manger-542671 (accessed June 8, 2023). copy citation