December can be a busy month. Right now, my head is so full of details that it's a struggle to manage the family’s calendar of school concerts, church events, and family gatherings. It’s a busy, full schedule, but I love it and wouldn't trade it for anything. Yet, at the end of these busy days, I look forward to sitting and reflecting on my day in my quiet living room, where only the lights from the Christmas tree illuminate the space.

Sitting with Joy and Grief

Sometimes I wonder if my busy schedule is a distraction that keeps me from spending too much time thinking about the grief that comes during this time of year. It’s impossible for me to ignore the fact that two important people will be absent at the family gatherings: my mom and my mother-in-law. They both loved Christmas, and I feel too young to navigate the holidays without them. So, on quiet nights, I'll sit with my cup of tea in the dimly-lit room with the Christmas tree and let myself feel the jumble of joy, sorrow, grief, and peace. I sit in silence, and I pray.

When Prayer is Hard to Find

Prayer is a gift, and it may be one of the best gifts of Christmas. Because of Jesus' birth, death, and resurrection, we can come to God with all of our prayers. The big, loud, joyful Christmas carols and the quiet, aching silence—God meets us right where we are, listening to it all. But sometimes it’s hard to find the words to pray. I find that either my heart is so full of praise and joy it may burst, or just the opposite: my body aches with so much sorrow that no words come. When I struggle to find the words to pray, I often turn to Scripture to guide me. One Bible passage that has guided me in prayer is the song of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Turning to Scripture for Words

Mary’s song seems to originate from a heart overwhelmed by the nearness of God. Mary is given the miraculous task of carrying God incarnate. Rather than responding with pride, Mary humbly accepts her responsibility of being the mother of the Messiah, knowing that this miracle of heaven and earth colliding is happening inside her. She sings a song of praise not because things will be easy, but because she trusts that God is with her, just as he was with Abraham generations ago. Mary recounts that God continues to bring mercy, offer justice, shine light into darkness, and care for the brokenhearted. He is faithful and keeps his promises. 

Mary’s faith is the kind of faith that I want, and her prayer gives me words when I have none. Mary’s song helps shape my prayers to celebrate the victory I have in Christ, even when tears fall as I sit by my Christmas tree, missing my mom and mother-in-law. 

Mary’s Song, a Prayer Shaped by Faith and Trust 

God listens to our prayers and hears all our cries, whether of joy, gratitude, praise, sadness, loss, or pain. I wrote a prayer based on Luke 1:46-55. Feel free to use this as a template to make your own prayer. 

Dear God, 

I praise you. My heart is filled with joy. (Name some things that give you joy.) 

You are my helper and my rescuer.  

You notice me and call me your own. You are not too busy for me. You listen to me. 

I want everyone to know how much I love you and how you have been good to me. (List some ways you have seen God’s goodness. Are there relationships that have been meaningful to you or people who have helped you grow in your faith? Tell God about it!) 

God, you are powerful and have done amazing things for me. 

Your name is special! (List some other names of God that are meaningful to you. Here are some examples: Abba Father, Jehovah Jireh, Immanuel, Christ the King, Good Shepherd, Loving Parent.) 

God, you are kind, always and forever. You are strong. You notice the humble and care for the meek. You are more powerful than the strongest leader, and you exalt the gentle. Help me be humble and gentle with others. (List difficult relationships or other areas where you feel powerless or afraid, and give those to God.) 

God, you have always helped your people, just like you have promised. You promise to be good to us forever. (What are ways in your own story where God has helped you? List them. What about a favorite story of God helping from the Bible that encourages you?) 

You are a good God. Thank you for sharing the greatest gift of all—your Son, Jesus, with me. 

Amen.

Merry Christmas, friends, and I hope Mary’s prayer helps you pivot into a prayer of praise when it’s hard to find the words. May “your soul magnify the Lord and may your spirit rejoice in God your Savior.”

Looking for more resources this Christmas? Check out the Blue Christmas devotional series from our sister ministry Today, and our blog posts on The 12 Days of Christmas and Four Prayers from Isaiah for Christmas.