Blessings can be prayed anywhere, over anything or anyone, and by any person of faith. Have you ever thought of blessing your Nativity scene or Christmas tree? What about praying a prayer as one year ends and a new one begins? As you gather with family and friends to celebrate the birth of our Savior, have you thought about blessing a child in the womb or expectant parents who are present? What about praying to be a holy family on the feast of the Holy Family (12/31)? Or blessing you home or classroom on Epiphany?
Below are some resources to help you extend the act of blessing beyond the church walls. We encourage you to use them to begin new family traditions and to get in the habit of asking God’s blessing on one another and things (sacramentals) that help you and your family make a God connection. You might even wish to bring home some holy water from church to use with these blessing prayers:
Blessing of a Christmas Manger or Nativity Scene
Blessing of a Christmas Tree
Gracious Lord, Child of Bethlehem
Prayer for the New Year
Blessing of a Child in the Womb
Order for the Blessing of Parents Before Childbirth
Family Prayer: Make Yours a Holy Family
Blessing of the Home and Household on Epiphany
Create Your Own Epiphany House Blessing / Bendición de Epifanía para tu casa
Image credit: © 2023 by Joan McKamey
