Links
for Advent
Blessing of the
Advent Wreath
The family gathers around the Advent
Wreath - 3 purple candles and one pink. Prayer may be repeated each Sunday of Advent as
another candle is lit. Wreath could be put on the dining table or another place in the
home where it will be seen often by the entire family.
Read from the Prophet Isaiah 9:1-6 from
the Family Bible.
Leader. Lord our God,
we praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ:
he is Emmanuel, God with us,
the hope of the peoples
he is the wisdom that teaches and guides us,
he is the Savior of every nation.
Lord God, let your blessing come upon us
as we light the candles of this wreath.
May the wreath and its light
be a sign of Christ's promise to bring us salvation.
May he come quickly and not delay.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.
[The family may wish to read the Sunday
Gospel each week, before a new candle is lit.]
Prayer Before Meals
During Advent
Leader. Father, we thank you for all you
have given us. The gift of life, of family and friends and food that strengthens and
nourishes us. You loved us so much that you sent your Son Jesus to become part of our
lives, to forgive us and save us and show us your care for us. Be with us this Season to
help us prepare the way for His coming.
Together. Bless us O Lord, and these Thy
gifts,
which we are about to receive from Thy bounty,
through Christ Our Lord. Amen
Prayer After Meals
During Advent
Leader.
Help
us live kind, just and holy lives
as we get ready for the coming of Jesus.
Together. For the kingdom, the power, and
the glory are yours, now and forever.
We give you thanks Almighty God
for these gifts and all Thy benefits
which we have received from Thy bounty
through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Prayer Before
Christmas Dinner
Leader. Lord
Jesus,
in the peace of this season our spirits are joyful:
With the beasts and angels,
the shepherds and stars,
with Mary and Joseph we sing God's praise.
By your coming may the hungry be filled with good things,
and may our table and home be blessed.
Together. Bless us O Lord, and these Thy
gifts,
which we are about to receive from Thy bounty
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Blessing of the
Nativity Scene
Follow this link for:
Saint
Francis and the Crib
Read from the Gospel of Luke 2:1-8 from
the Family Bible.
Leader. God
of every nation and people,
from the very beginning of creation
you have made known your love:
when our need for a Savior was great
you sent your Son to be born of the Virgin Mary.
To our lives he brings joy and peace,
justice, mercy, and love.
Lord, bless all who look upon this
manger;
may it remind us of the humble birth of Jesus,
and raise up our thoughts to him,
who is God-with-us and Savior of all,
and who lives and reigns for ever and ever. AMEN.
Blessing of the
Christmas Tree
Read from the Letter of Paul to Titus
3:4-7 from the Family Bible.
Leader. Lord
our God,
we praise you for the light of creation:
the sun, the moon, and the stars of the night.
We praise you for the light of Israel:
the Law, and the prophets,
and the wisdom of the Scriptures.
We praise you for Jesus Christ, your Son:
he is Emmanuel, God-with-us, the Prince of Peace,
who fills us with the wonder of your love.
Lord God,
let your blessing come upon us
as we light this tree.
May the light and cheer it gives
be a sign of the joy that fills our hearts.
May all who delight in this tree
come to the knowledge and joy of salvation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN. [light the
tree]
Blessing of the Home
on Epiphany
Read the story about Zacchaeus [Luke
19:1-9] from the Family Bible.
Chalk is blessed at Church and brought to
the home.
Write above the entry way: 20 + C + M + B + 07 and pray . . .
Leader.
Peace be to this house and all who live here. During these days of the Christmas season,
we keep this feast of Epiphany. Through the guidance of a star, the coming of Jesus was
made known to the Gentiles. We celebrate Christ made known to the Magi, to John in the
River Jordan, and to the disciples at the wedding at Cana.
Today Christ is made known to us! Today
this home is a holy place!
The Magi came from the east to Bethlehem to adore the Lord.
"They went into the house, and when they saw the child
with His mother Mary, they knelt down and worshipped him.
They brought out their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh,
and presented them to Him." [Matthew 2:11]
We bow our heads and pray for God's
blessing . . .
Lord our God, bless our home and all who live here.
May we be filled with health, goodness of heart,
gentleness, obedience to Your law, and thanksgiving to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Help us love and respect one another
and make your presence known by the way we care for others.
May this blessing remain upon this house and upon all who live here.
Through Christ our Lord. AMEN.
[All the rooms can be blessed and
sprinkled with Holy Water if you wish]
Although their names are not known,
medieval legend calls the Magi Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. The name magoi was used by
Matthew [2:1-12] to indicate "sages" who came to adore Christ. This blessing of
homes on Epiphany has become traditional in some cultures.
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