CHRISTMAS SEASON | Christmas Readings | Christmas Hymns & Carols | Christmas Meal Prayers | Christmas Tree & Crib (Creche)

Pope Benedict’s Blessing for an Image of the Infant Jesus

On Gaudete Sunday, December 14, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI said, “Standing before the crèche, we will be able to taste Christian joy, contemplating in the new-born Jesus the face of God who out of love made Himself close to us”. Then, addressing the Roman boys and girls who had come with figures of the Christ Child to be placed in nativity scenes in their homes, Pope Benedict invited them to join him in reciting the following prayer:

God, our Father, you so loved us even to the point of sending us your only son Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary, to save us and bring us to you. We ask that you bless these images of Jesus, who will soon come among us, as a sign of your presence and of your love in our homes.

Good Father, bless us as well, and our parents, our families, and our friends. Open our hearts so that we might know how to receive Jesus with joy, doing always what He asks, and seeing Him in all those who are in need of our love. We ask you in the name of Jesus, your beloved Son, who came to bring peace to the world. He lives and reigns with you forever and ever. Amen

When the Christmas Tree is decorated, just before the lights are turned on for the first time on Christmas Eve, the tree may be sprinkled with Holy Water as the following prayer is said.

Holy Lord, we come with joy to celebrate the birth of your Son, who rescued us from the darkness of sin by making the Cross a tree of life and light. May this tree, arrayed in splendor, remind us of the life-giving Cross of Christ, that we may always rejoice in the new life that shines in our hearts. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Blessing for the Christmas Crib

A Blessing prayer for Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, when the Christ Child is placed in the manger. The Crib may be sprinkled with Holy Water as the following blessing is said.

O God of every nation:

From the very beginning of creation you have made manifest 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 thought to Him, who is our Emmanuel and Savior of all,

Who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Click HERE for more information on the Christmas Crib, or Crêche.

(See also Christian Origins of Familiar Christmas Customs)

 

From Celebrating Advent and Christmas-A Sourcebook for Families, copyright Women for Faith & Family, PO Box 300411, St. Louis, MO 63130. Phone 314 863-8385; Fax 314 863-5858.

Permission is granted to reprint these prayers, with proper acknowledgement of the source.

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