This liturgy is taken from Every Moment Holy Volume 3 from Rabbit Room Press. You can find more liturgies like these at EveryMomentHoly.com.
A Liturgy for the Wrapping of Christmas Gifts
by Wayne Garvey and Douglas McKelvey
O Great Giver of All Good Gifts,
I sit amongst rolls of wrapping paper,
tissue, bags, and bows—presents spread before
me, ready to be concealed in shrouds of joyful
mystery, and nestled for a time beneath the tree.
This brief veiling of gifts from
the wondering eyes of those
who will receive them
is an act intended to heighten
excitement, and to kindle hopes—hopes
that might find fulfillment when these
festive secrets are finally revealed.
There is always in us that
which delights in surprise.
And while these gifts might provide a passing
happiness, I pray they would also stir the
hearts of their recipients in some deeper way,
as small echoes of a greater grace.
For you first lavished upon us your
astonishing love in the person of Jesus.
You wrapped your gift, O God,
in the form of a baby. And then,
in that baby-become-man, you
unveiled glory upon glory:
Miracles. Marvelous words.
Deeds of compassion and mercy.
Strong promises. Death defeated.
Life eternal.
The revelation of yourself as a dear father,
longing to adopt us orphans as daughters and
sons! Indeed “We love, because God first
loved us!” In our giving of Christmas gifts
we but seek to imitate your generosity.
So let our stumbling attempts
to mirror the eternal charities of
your own lavish heart, be undertaken
in a spirit of glad celebration
and as an act of worship.
Christ, you are the gift of God who gave all,
gives all, is all. So let these my small presents
be offered in great love, and received as
humble expressions of a holy hospitality, and
reminders of a divine kindness.
HERE THE READER MAY WISH TO PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR EACH LOVED ONE AS THEIR GIFT IS WRAPPED.
Now may the lives of all your children be
ever more marked by a loving generosity
manifest in daily acts of practical service
to others, O Lord.
And may my own heart in particular
be kept less and less like a wrapped
and sealed mystery,
but be freely offered instead
as an open gift through which
the radiant love of Christ
is made ever more visible.
Amen.
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