Blessing of the Christmas Tree
The use of the Christmas tree is relatively modern. Its origins are found in the medieval mystery plays that depicted the tree of paradise and the Christmas light or candle that symbolized Christ, the Light of the World. The lights of the Christmas tree are illuminated after the prayer of blessing. In the home the Christmas tree may be blessed by a parent or another family member. When all our gathered a suitable song can be sung.
Everybody makes the sign of the cross, and all reply....."Amen"....The blessing begins.
Leader: Let us glorify Christ our light, who brings salvation and peace into our midst, now and forever.
All: Amen
Leader: My brothers and sisters, amidst signs and wonders Christ Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea: his birth bring joy to our hears and enlightenment to our minds. With this tree, decorated and adorned, may we welcome Christ among us; may its lights guide us to the perfect light.
Leader/Reader chooses and reads one of the below readings:
Option 1
Listen to the words of the Ezekiel (17:22-24)
Thus says the Lord God:
“I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar, and will set it out;
I will break off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one,
and I myself will plant it upon a high and lofty mountain;
on the mountain height of Israel I will plant it,
that it may bring forth boughs and bear fruit, and become a noble cedar;
and under it will dwell all kinds of beasts;
in the shade of its branches birds of every sort will nest.
And all the trees of the field shall know
that I the LORD bring low the high tree,
and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree,
and make the dry tree flourish.
I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.
Leader/Reader: The Word of the Lord
All: Thanks be to God
Option 2
Listen to the words of 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/Reader: The Word of the Lord
All: Thanks be to God
Intercessions Begin:
Leader: Let us ask God to send His blessing upon us and upon this sign of our faith in the Lord.
All: Lord, give light to our hearts.
Leader: That this tree of lights may remind us of the tree of glory on which Christ accomplished our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, give light to our hearts.
Leader: That the joy of Christmas may always be in our homes, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, give light to our hearts.
Leader: That the peace of Christ may dwell in our hearts and in the world, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, give light to our hearts.
Leader: Let us pray the words our Lord taught us…..
All: Our Father….
All join hands for the final blessing.
Leader:
Lord our God
we praise you for the light of creation:
the sun, the moon, and stars of the night.
We praise you for the light of Israel:
the Law, 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 illumine 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.
All: Amen
The lights of the tree are then illuminated.
All do the sign of the cross as the leader says:
Leader: May the God of glory fill our hearts with peace and joy, now and forever.
All: Amen.
The blessing concludes with a verse from “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”:
O come, thou dayspring, come and cheer
our spirits by thine advent here;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night
and death’s dark shadow put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel!
shall come to thee, O Israel.
Saturday Mass Schedule:
4:00 PM-ST. CATHERINE SIENA MISSION PARISH (HUMANSVILLE)
6:30 PM-SACRED HEART (BOLIVAR)
Sunday Mass Schedule
8:00 AM-SACRED HEART (BOLIVAR)
10:30 AM-SACRED HEART (BOLIVAR)
Sacred Heart Catholic Church: 1405 W Fair Play St, Bolivar, MO, 65613
Office Hours:
8:00 AM-4:00PM (Closed for Lunch from 12:00PM-1:00PM and on Holy Days)
Phone Number: 417-326-5596