Prayer to the Nativity That Should be Said 

Catholics traditionally leave the Christ child out of their decorative nativity scenes until after midnight mass on Christmas Eve. The moment of placing the Christ child figurine is often accompanied by some kind of formal prayer or observance by the entire family.

The following prayer is an ideal one for the whole family to recite in front of the nativity scene after the Christ child is placed in the manger. The phrasing of the prayer acknowledges that the Christ child is fully God as well as true man, and it allows followers to recognize the sacrifice by which God became man in order to live and suffer with us. The prayer allows followers to symbolically enter into the scene with Joseph, Mary, the angels and shepherds in order to see Him as they did, and it creates a feeling of deep and meaningful union with Christ.

Prayer;

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and

of the Holy Spirit. Amen

O Divine Redeemer Jesus Christ, prostrate before Thy crib,

 I believe Thou art the God of infinite Majesty, even though

 I do see Thee here as a helpless babe.

I humbly adore and thank Thee for having so humbled

 Thyself for my salvation as to will to be born in a stable.

 I thank Thee for all Thou didst wish to suffer for me in

Bethlehem, for Thy poverty and humility, for Thy

nakedness, tears, cold and sufferings.

Would that I could show Thee that tenderness which Thy

 Virgin Mother had toward Thee, and love Thee as she did.

Would that I could praise Thee with the joy of the angels,

that I could kneel before Thee with the faith of St. Joseph,

 the simplicity of the shepherds.

Uniting myself with these first adorers at the crib, I offer

 Thee the homage of my heart, and I beg that Thou

 wouldst be born spiritually in my soul.

Make me reflect in some degree the virtues of Thy

admirable nativity. Fill me with that spirit of renunciation,

 of poverty, of humility, which prompted Thee to assume

the weakness of our nature, and to be born amid

 destitution and suffering.

Grant that from this day forward, I may in all things seek

 Thy greater glory, and may enjoy that peace promised

 to men of good will. Amen

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and

 of the Holy Spirit. Amen