Blessing of a Christmas Tree

When you put up your Christmas tree this Advent, pray this blessing together as a family or household before turning on the lights, asking that it all who delight in it may come to knowledge and joy of salvation.

Christmas Tree Blessing

Catholic Prayer Library, Advent & Christmas, On by Rev James D Socias

All make the sign of the cross as the minister says:

Blessed be the name of the Lord.

All respond:

Now and for ever.

One of those present or the minister reads a text of sacred Scripture, for example:

Brothers and sisters, listen to the words of the apostle Paul to Titus: 3: 4– 7

His own compassion saved us

But when the kindness and love of God our saviour for mankind were revealed, it was not because he was concerned with any righteous actions we might have done ourselves; it was for no reason except his own compassion that he saved us, by means of the cleansing water of rebirth and by renewing us with the Holy Spirit which he has so generously poured over us through Jesus Christ our saviour. He did this so that we should be justified by his grace, to become heirs looking forward to inheriting eternal life.

Other texts may be read instead, for example Gn 2:4-9 or Is 9:1-6.

A minister who is a priest or deacon says the prayer of blessing with hands outstretched; a lay minister says the prayer with hands joined.

Lord our God,
we praise you for the light of creation:
the sun, the moon, and the 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.
R. Amen.

or:

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 splendour,
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.
R. Amen.

The lights of the tree are then turned on.

Handbook of PrayersThis blessing is extracted from A Handbook of Prayers. Beautifully illustrated, divided into 20 sections, featuring hundreds of prayers, the Handbook sets out practical ways to grow in your faith, alongside the basic tenets of the Catholic faith.

For more prayers and blessings, and to support the mission of CTS, order your copy of A Handbook of Prayers today.