Here is a simple Christmas prayer for kids that you can say together tonight: “Dear God, thank You for sending baby Jesus to be born in Bethlehem. Thank You for Your love, which is the best gift of all. Help me share that love with everyone this Christmas. Amen.” In this post you will find more than 15 short Christmas prayers for kids, for Christmas Eve, Christmas morning, and Christmas dinner, plus a KJV Bible verse to pray.
Best for ages 3-12. Reading time: about 6 minutes. To go with these prayers, explore our short and easy Christmas Bible verses for kids.
Short Christmas Prayers for Kids to Say
These quick prayers are easy for small children to repeat. Say one line, and let your child echo it back.
- Thank You for Jesus: “Thank You, God, for baby Jesus, born on Christmas Day. Amen.”
- A prayer of joy: “Dear God, my heart is happy because Jesus came. Let my smile shine like a Christmas star. Amen.”
- A prayer for family: “Thank You for my family and for the fun we share. Keep us safe and close this Christmas. Amen.”
- A prayer for giving: “God, You gave us Jesus. Help me give with a happy heart too. Amen.”
- A prayer for peace: “Lord, please bring peace to my home, my school, and the whole wide world. Amen.”
Christmas Eve Prayers for Kids
Christmas Eve is full of excitement. A quiet bedtime prayer helps children settle down and remember the real reason for the season.
- “Dear God, tonight I think about Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem, and the little stable where Jesus was born. Thank You for coming close to us. Help me sleep peacefully. Amen.”
- “Thank You, God, for the shepherds who heard the angels sing. Let me hear Your good news too. Goodnight, God. Amen.”
- “Lord, I am so excited for tomorrow. Before I think about presents, I want to say thank You for Jesus, Your best present. Amen.”
Before bed, it is lovely to read the whole Nativity story of the birth of Jesus together, then pray one of these prayers.
Christmas Morning Prayers for Kids
Before the wrapping paper flies, take one minute as a family to pause and pray.
- “Good morning, God! Happy birthday, Jesus! Thank You for this special day. Amen.”
- “Dear God, thank You for every gift under the tree and for the people who gave them. Help me say thank you to each one. Amen.”
- “Lord, help me be kind and patient today, even when I am excited. Let me share my toys and my joy. Amen.”
Christmas Dinner Prayers for Kids
Many families ask a child to say grace at the Christmas table. These short prayers are easy to learn by heart.
- “Thank You, God, for food so good, for family and for Christmas cheer. Bless us all who gather here. Amen.”
- “Dear Jesus, it is Your birthday, but we get the feast! Thank You for this food and for loving us. Amen.”
- “God, bless this meal and bless the hands that made it. Bless those who are far away, and those who have no meal today. Amen.”
Christmas Prayers for Kids by Age
Ages 3-5: Rhyming Prayers
- “Twinkle lights and shining star, Jesus came from heaven far. Thank You, God, for love so true. Merry Christmas, God, from me to You! Amen.”
- “Little baby in the hay, born for us on Christmas Day. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.”
Ages 6-8: Prayers for School and Friends
- “Dear God, thank You for my teachers and my classmates. As we sing songs and make crafts, help us remember that Christmas is about Jesus. Help me be a good friend to someone who feels left out. Amen.”
Ages 9-12: Prayers for Others
- “Lord, Christmas is a happy time for me, but it is a hard time for some people. Please be with children who are sick, lonely, or without a home. Show me one way to help someone this week. Amen.”
- “God, as I wait for Christmas, help me wait with hope, peace, joy, and love, just like the Advent candles remind us. Amen.”
If your family lights Advent candles, pair these prayers with our week-by-week Advent Bible verses for kids.
A Bible Verse Christmas Prayer (KJV)
The angel brought good news to the shepherds. You can read the full Christmas story in Luke chapter 2 on Bible Gateway (KJV). Here are two short verses kids can memorize and pray:
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” – Luke 2:11 (KJV)
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” – Luke 2:14 (KJV)
Turn them into a prayer: “Dear God, thank You for sending Jesus, our Saviour. Glory to You in the highest! Please bring peace on earth and help me show good will to everyone. Amen.”
Tips for Praying With Kids at Christmas
- Pray by the tree. Each night in December, gather by the Christmas tree and let one child choose a prayer from this list.
- Use the nativity set. Let your child hold a figure, such as Mary, a shepherd, or a wise man, and say a prayer about that person.
- Pray for your Christmas cards. When cards arrive in the mail, pray for the family who sent each one.
- Keep it joyful. Christmas prayers can be happy and even a little silly. God loves to hear children’s voices.
- Add a poem. A gentle rhyme like The Christmas Mouse Christmas poem makes a cozy start to prayer time.
Christmas Prayers for Kids: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a short Christmas prayer for kids?
Try this one: “Thank You, God, for baby Jesus, born on Christmas Day. Amen.” It is short enough for a toddler to say and still tells the heart of Christmas.
Can kids say Christmas prayers at school?
Children can always pray quietly on their own. For a classroom or Sunday school, choose a short prayer about thankfulness, kindness, and peace, like the ones for ages 6-8 above.
What should a child pray for at Christmas?
Kids can thank God for Jesus, for family, and for gifts. They can also pray for people who are sad or in need, and ask God to help them be kind and generous.
A Final Thought for Families
Presents get unwrapped, cookies get eaten, and lights come down. But the love of God that came to us at Christmas stays all year long. When we pray with our children in December, we help them keep the baby in the manger at the center of the celebration. Choose one of these Christmas prayers for kids tonight, say it together by the glow of the tree, and let it become a family tradition.
About this post: Kidsgraphy prayers are written in simple words for children ages 3-12 and are reviewed by parents for warmth and clarity. Bible quotations are from the King James Version (KJV).
