Christmas is celebrated by the very large majority of the world. A primarily Christian holiday, it is marked mainly on December 25 (since the 4th century) in countries with a significant Christian presence, but not necessarily a majority. More than two-thirds of the countries in the world celebrate Christmas. Today, Christmas has become much more secularized and is no longer necessarily observed as a solely religious holiday. However, prayers are still part of this special day, whether in stories or in songs. The Aeterna Funeral Complex offers you some of them for Christmas.

History and traditions
In the Western world, it is customary to go to Midnight Mass to praise the birth of Christ and to sing and recite prayers. Although religion no longer occupies the same place in the day-to-day lives of the population, this Christmas tradition is still alive for many people. Whether it is more to please grandparents or to continue the tradition, there is something magical about going to Midnight Mass!

Here are a few Christmas prayers for you:
God is Always Near
It's Christmas night, Lord, and you can hear it!
The sound of wrapping paper and the laughter at dinner.
Everything is sparkling, and I'm sparkling, too!
But when I look outside
the flakes that are whirling and twirling,
I feel this night is so sweet!
Jesus, that little baby is you.
How similar you are to us!
You come to live with us.
With you, God will always be close.

If Christmas is Peace – A Haitian prayer
If Christmas is Peace, Peace must pass through our hands.
Give peace to your neighbour...
If Christmas is Light, Light must shine in our lives.
Walk towards your brother to brighten his days.
If Christmas is Joy, Joy must shine on our faces.
Smile at the world so that it becomes happy.
If Christmas is Hope, Hope must grow in our hearts.
Sow the seeds of Hope in the heart of every man.
If Christmas is Love, we must be its instruments.
Bring Love to all the hungry people in the world.

Psalm 96
Oh sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Ascribe to the Lord, O ifamilies of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts!
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth!
Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!
Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.”
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
before the Lord, for he comes,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,
and the peoples in his faithfulness.

Gospel of St. Luke 2:9-11, 14
And an angel of the Lord appeared to them (the shepherds), and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy… For unto you is born this day… a Savior, who is Christ the Lord… Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth, peace among those with whom He is pleased!”

Thank you to God for Sending Us His Son as a Treasure – Father Maurice Allaire
May Christmas bring Love, Peace, Joy and Hope to the people of this time. "Peace to men of good will," said the angel on Christmas night. This peace is still so fragile on our Earth!
May it bring Hope: Today our society easily sinks into pessimism, into a collective depression, often maintained by the media. So, Christmas is Good News, Hope for the world of this time. It is up to us to welcome this good news and to make it our spiritual nourishment that can comfort us and restore our courage.
Thank you to God for sending us his son as a treasure and a gift.

Church hymns
There are also several YouTube collections that are very easy to access and that provide you with an opportunity to listen to the famous and most beautiful Christmas hymns in English. It's a great way to add some atmosphere to those cold winter evenings. Discover our favourite collection here.

The entire Aeterna Complex team wishes you a Christmas filled with peace and light, all in prayer and song.