Blessings

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

The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom

a light has shone.

You have brought them abundant joy

and great rejoicing,

As they rejoice before you as at the harvest,

as men make merry when dividing spoils.

For the yoke that burdened them,

the pole on their shoulder,

And the rod of their taskmaster

you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.

For every boot that tramped in battle,

every cloak rolled in blood,

will be burned as fuel for flames.

For a child* is born to us, a son is given us;

upon his shoulder dominion rests.

They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,

Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.-"

His dominion is vast

and forever peaceful,

From David's throne, and over his kingdom,

which he confirms and sustains

By judgment and justice,

both now and forever.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!"

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.

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: Let 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

Read from the Gospel of Luke 2:1-8

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. "And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock.

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

But when the kindness and generous love

of God our savior appeared,

not because of any righteous deeds we had done

but because of his mercy,

he saved us through the bath of rebirth

and renewal by the holy Spirit,

whom he richly poured out on us

through Jesus Christ our savior,

so that we might be justified by his grace

and become heirs in hope of eternal life.

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.

Blessing of the Home on Epiphany

Read the story about Zacchaeus [Luke 19:1-9]

He came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.'' And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, "He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner." But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham.

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.