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.

Read the story about Zacchaeus [Luke 19:1-9] from the Family Bible.

Chalk is blessed at Church and brought to the home.

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.