Prayers for Blessing of the Wreath, the Tree, Gifts, etc. 

Advent prayers

Blessing of the Advent Wreath

By day and night, and through the circle of the seasons, you keep watch over us, God Most High. We praise you for this Advent wreath. It is the evergreen crown of your royal people. It is a promise of a share in the triumph of your justice. Soon it will grow bright and scatter the darkness. Around this shining wreath we shall keep watch for your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who comes to comfort our fears and to make new this waiting world. All glory be yours, now and for ever. Amen.

or

O God, by whose word all things are made holy, you have called us to be a holy people, and to live as children of light. Pour forth your blessing upon this wreath. Grant that we who kindle its lights may prepare our hearts to receive your Son, who is the radiance of eternal light. May he come to dispel the darkness of our minds to melt the hardness of our hearts, and to ignite the weakness of our wills. We ask this through Christ out Lord, Amen.

or

Blessed are you, our God, who created light out of darkness and sent your only Son to bring the light of your love to all people. We pray for your blessing upon this wreath and upon all who kindle these lights. As we gather together in this Advent darkness to await the dawn o Christ, prepare our hearts and homes to receive our Savoir. Come, wisdom of Christ, enlighten our minds. Come, Justice of Christ, ignite our wills. Come, love of Christ, inflame our hearts. Come, light of Christ, shine in our lives now and forever. Amen.

Blessing of the Tree

God of Adam and Eve, God of all our ancestors, we praise you for this Christmas tree.

It stirs in us a memory of paradise, and it opens a window into heaven. Send your Son, Jesus, the shoot sprung from the root of Jesse, to restore the earth to the goodness of Eden. On the day of his coming every tree of the forest will claps its hands in joy, and all creation will sing to you perched on these shining branches: Glory in heaven and peace on earth, now and for ever. Amen.

or

The heavens are glad and the earth rejoices! The forest and every tree in it sings your praises, O Lord, our God. This tree reminds us of our first parents, who knew the blessings of paradise but chose to eat the fruit of disobedience. This tells us of the tree of the cross on which your Son offered the sacrifice of perfect praise. This tree, with its evergreen boughs, calls to mind your everlasting love. We ask you to bless this tree. May its bright lights herald the coming of the Christ light. We also ask you to bless us. May your love rule our hearts, and may our lives become a song of praise now and forever. Amen.

Blessing of the Gifts

Every generous act of giving and every perfect gift are from above. They come down from you, dear Father of lights. You give birth to us by your word, that we might be the firstborn children of a new creation. Bless now these presents that we give and receive in joy at the birth of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. On this holy day, bless us and bless the whole world with thankfulness and affection, for you are the giver of all good gifts. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

or

Gracious God, giver of all that is good, you have created us in your image to love and be loved. Bless these gifts, chosen with care and wrapped with affection; may they be receive with joy. May our gift giving increase in us a spirit of generosity and fill our hearts with gratitude for the many gifts you give us: the gift of faith, the gift of family and friends, and most of all for the greatest of gifts, your son, our Savior, Jesus, who is Christ our Lord. Amen.

 Blessing of the Nativity Scene

Bless us, Lord, as we come to Bethlehem, where animals and angels, shepherds and seekers, together behold your face. Here snow becomes straw and frost becomes flowers as winter melts into everlasting spring. In our holy Christmas, in this festival of Christ, give us the riches of your poverty and show us the power of your weakness as we join the angels in proclaiming your praise: Glory in heaven and peace on earth, now and for ever. Amen.

or

Gracious God, in infinite love you sent your only Son to be born of the Virgin Mary. With wonderful humility he comes to live with us, making holy every home that welcomes him. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior, we ask you to bless this crèche and all who look upon it. With Mary and Joseph, we welcome the Christ Child into our lives. With the shepherds we gaze in wonder, and with the angels we sing your praise, praying for peace on earth. May the love of this child, shining in our hearts, make us a blessing to each other and bring us to the joy of heaven where he is Lord forever and ever. Amen. 

Blessing for a Family at the New Year

Eternal God, you make all things new, giving strength to the weak, hope to the despondent, and love to the forsaken. As we begin a new year, we ask for your blessing upon our family. Renew our faith and revive our hope. Gant us patience in adversity and gratitude for our many blessings. Make us a blessing to one another and to the world. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Blessing for a Home on Epiphany

Blessed are you, our God. For love of us, you sent your only Son to light up our hearts and homes with your divine radiance. Bless our home and all who live within it. Help us to live our lives with love and grace that your presence may be seen in our daily acts of service, in our worship and family prayer, in our kindness toward our neighbors, and in our generosity toward guests. Bless us, lord, that we may be a blessing to one another in the name...