--- title: "Preparing Optimistically for Christmas : A Prayer by Bishop Philip Huggins" description: We give thanks, as with optimistic hearts, we are once again renewed by the Nativity scene of Christmas image: https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/abstract%20fireplace%20flame%20background%20at%20home.jpeg --- ###### [Check out Our latest insights on Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog) [![Centre for Optimism_Logo](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Centre%20for%20Optimism_Logo.svg)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com?hsLang=en) - [Home](https://www.centreforoptimism.com) - [Subscribe](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/subscribe) - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - [The Optimism Principle](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/theoptimismprinciple) - [Need Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/services-and-workshops) - [The Optimism Workshop](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/workshop) - [Victor Perton - That Optimism Man](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/victorperton) - [Magnetic Optimism for Organisations](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/magnetic-optimism-workshops) ![Close Icon (3)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Close%20Icon%20(3).svg) ![Search (2)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Search%20(2).svg) ###### [Spirituality and Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/spirituality-and-optimism) , ###### [Prayer](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/prayer) , ###### [Christmas](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/christmas) , ###### [Christian Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/christian-optimism) # Preparing Optimistically for Christmas : A Prayer by Bishop Philip Huggins **A PRAYER FROM BISHOP PHILIP HUGGINS ( President, National Council of Churches Australia)** Gracious God, We give thanks, as with optimistic hearts, we are once again renewed by the Nativity scene of Christmas. You are “utterly kind and unassuming “, [as beloved Julian of Norwich learned in the Revelations you gave her of your Divine Love](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/all-shall-be-well-and-all-shall-be-well-and-all-manner-of-thing-shall-be-well?hsLang=en)[.](https://thecentreforoptimism.wildapricot.org/All-shall-be-well-and-all-shall-be-well-and-all-manner-of-thing-shall-be-well) We see your ways in the eternal story of shepherds and magi, gathered with a young country couple, in that blessed stable of Bethlehem. Preparing now for Christmas, we pray for your grace. May we be utterly kind and unassuming ourselves. Coming amongst us so vulnerably, baby Jesus in a manger, we see your risk-taking ways in love. May we also be risk-takers in love. “Behold, I bring you good tidings “ was the message of your angels to the shepherds, watching their flocks by night. May we also bear good tidings all the way to Christmas 2020 and beyond. We pray these prayers of our hearts in your holy name, AMEN.   [![Worth Reading: "All Shall be Well"](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21889975/ee80e95a-ff42-4068-b72b-88cb9b217277.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21889975/ee80e95a-ff42-4068-b72b-88cb9b217277)   [Written by Victor Perton](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/author/victor-perton) ##### Keep up to date with the latest from Centre for Optimism ##### We appreciate any contribution you can make to help us spread optimism with the world [![Give Today](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21889975/daed54ec-1173-4b99-9390-e69152e87436.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21889975/daed54ec-1173-4b99-9390-e69152e87436) #### Here are some similar articles ###### [Spirituality and Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/spirituality-and-optimism) , ###### [Julian of Norwich](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/julian-of-norwich) #### [Refreshed Optimism from Norwich: Julian’s Message of Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/norwich?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/norwich?hsLang=en) ###### [Spirituality and Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/spirituality-and-optimism) , ###### [Freedom](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/freedom) , ###### [Kindness](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/kindness) , ###### [Podcast](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/podcast) #### [Kindness, Optimism and Freedom with Leon Logothetis](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/leonlogothetisonfreedom?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/leonlogothetisonfreedom?hsLang=en) ###### [Spirituality and Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/spirituality-and-optimism) , ###### [Fiji](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/fiji) #### [Neeraj Chadha's Cause for Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/neeraj?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/neeraj?hsLang=en) ## Connect With Us ##### We love to connect with everyone who is ready to open up and share their optimisim. - [![Facebook 2](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Center%20of%20Optimism%20Assets/Facebook%202.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/optimistsvoices/) - [![instagram (6)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/instagram%20(6).svg)](https://www.instagram.com/centreforoptimism/?hl=en) - [![linked in 2](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/linked%20in%202.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/centreforoptimism/) - [![youtube (3)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/youtube%20(3).svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFd4GnToz3WLasQSfsz_z8w) - [![twitter](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/twitter.svg)](https://twitter.com/Centre4Optimism) #### Keep up to date with the latest from The Centre for Optimism ##### Contact Us Call Us: [+61 417 217 241](tel:+61%20417%20217%20241) (Australia) PO Box 5081, Garden City, Victoria 3207, Australia ##### [The Centre for Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com?hsLang=en) - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - Why be Optimistic? 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