BLESSING OF THE CRIB
✠ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. All Amen. The Lord be with you. All And also with you.
BLESSING OF THE CRIBDear friends, as we meet to celebrate the birth of Christ, let us pray that God will bless this crib, that all who worship his Son, born of the Virgin Mary, may come to share his life in glory.
God our Father, on this night your Son Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary for us and for our salvation: ✠ bless this crib, which we have prepared to celebrate that holy birth; may all who see it be strengthened in faith and receive the fullness of life he came to bring, who is alive and reigns for ever. All Amen.
PRAYERS OF PENITENCE
Christ the light of the world has come to dispel the darkness of our hearts.
In his light let us examine ourselves and confess our sins. God our Father, you sent your Son full of grace and truth:
-Forgive our failure to receive him. Lord, have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy.
-Jesus our Saviour, you were born in poverty and laid in a manger: forgive our greed and rejection of your ways. Christ, have mercy.
All: Christ, have mercy.
Spirit of love, your servant Mary responded joyfully to your call: forgive the hardness of our hearts. Lord, have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy.
The figures may be placed in the crib. After a time of silence, all join in prayers of intercession and in the Lord's Prayer. Then the leader invites:
Pray now for God's blessing as we look on these figures.
After a short silence, the leader prays:
Leader: God of every nation and people, from the very beginning of creation you have made manifest your love. When our need for a Savior was great, you sent your Son to be born of the Virgin Mary. To our lives he brings joy and peace, justice, mercy, and love.
Lord, bless all who look upon this manger; may it remind us of the humble birth of Jesus and raise our thoughts to him, who is God-with-us and Savior of all, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever. R. Amen.
Leader: God of Mary and Joseph, of shepherds and animals, bless us whenever we gaze on this manger scene. Through all the days of Christmas may these figures tell the story of how humans, angels, and animals found the Christ in this poor place. Fill our house with hospitality, joy, gentleness, and thanksgiving, and guide our steps in the way of peace. Grant this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
Leader: Let us bless the Lord.
