Our family began a tradition several years ago of blessing our Christmas tree. The first readings are read by Mama or the older children who can read, we recite the prayer together, then Daddy blesses the tree with holy water. My hope is that these words will plant seeds deep in the children’s hearts, and that they will remember every time they look at our tree that Christ is the Tree of Life and the Light of the World.
BLESSING OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE
(Reader One): “Thus says the Lord God: I will Myself take a sprig from the lofty top of a cedar; I will set it out. I will break a tender one from the topmost of its young twigs; I Myself will plant it on a high and lofty mountain.
(Reader Two): On the mountain of Israel I will plant it, in order that it may produce boughs and bear fruit, and become a noble cedar. Under it every kind of bird will live; in the shade of its branches will nest winged creatures of every kind.” (Ezekiel 17:22-23)
Prayer: Creator God, Your own Son is the tender shoot that grew to become a majestic cedar. As the birds find safety in its giant branches, so we find shelter and comfort in Your Son. We thank You for sending us Jesus, the Tree of Life. Amen.
Blessing: Lord God, bless this tree in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. May it remind us throughout this holy season that Jesus is the Tree of Life. (Turn on tree lights.) As we turn on the lights of our tree, we are reminded that Jesus, our Tree of Life, is also the Light of the world. Amen.
More of our Christmas Traditions…
http://sonshineinourhearts.blogspot.com/2009/12/were-not-celebrating-christmas.html
http://sonshineinourhearts.blogspot.com/2008/12/this-is-one-of-my-favorite-times-of.html
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