“Christened the Christmas bird for its spectacular red color, the cardinal has become a symbol of the beauty and warmth of the holiday season. A glimpse of this brilliant bird brings cheer, hope and inspiration on a gray, wintry day. As nature’ s reminder for us to focus on our faith, the cardinal’ s scarlet plumage represents the blood of Christ shed for the redemption of humankind.”

From Bronners Christmas Wonderland
25 Christmas Lane
Frankenmuth, Michigan

 

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There was once a poor Mexican girl called Pepita who had no present to give the the baby Jesus at the Christmas Eve Services. As Pepita walked to the chapel, sadly, her cousin Pedro tried to cheer her up. ‘ Pepita’ , he said “I’ m sure that even the smallest gift, given by someone who loves him will make Jesus Happy.”

Pepita didn’ t know what she could give, so she picked a small handful of weeds from the roadside and made them into a a small bouquet. She felt embarrassed because she could only give this small present to Jesus.

As she walked through the chapel to the altar, she remembered what Pedro had said. She began to feel better, knelt down and put the bouquet at the bottom of the nativity scene.

Suddenly, the bouquet of weeds burst into bright red flowers, and everyone who saw them were sure they had seen a miracle.

From that day on, the bright red flowers were known as the ‘ Flores de Noche Buena’ , or ‘ Flowers of the Holy Night’ .

The shape of the poinsettia flower and leaves are sometimes thought as a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem which led the Wise Men to Jesus.

The red colored leaves symbolize the blood of Christ.

The white leaves represent his purity.

~An Old Mexican Legend

 

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Once there lived a little donkey whose owner beat him daily. A gentle man named Joseph felt sorry for the donkey and paid a high price for him.

Joseph and his pregnant wife, Mary, were kind to the donkey, who felt happy again. Joseph told the donkey he needed his help for a very important journey to a town called Bethlehem.

The donkey proudly carried Mary and waited while Joseph tried to find lodging. Upset that there was no room, the little donkey brayed so loudly that the innkeeper sent them to a stable where the woman gave birth to her baby, Jesus, whom the donkey kept warm with his soft breath.

A brave little donkey carried Mary and her babe.

That night was born our Savior, in a manger now he lay.

God bless the little donkey and the journey that he made.

 

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The use of the Christmas tree is relatively modern. Its origins are found in the medieval mystery plays that depicted the tree of paradise and the Christmas light or candle that symbolized Christ, the Light of the world. According to custom, the Christmas tree is set up just before Christmas and may remain in place until the Solemnity of Epiphany. The lights of the tree are illuminated after the prayer of blessing.

In the home the Christmas tree may be blessed by a parent or another family member, in connection with the evening meal on the Vigil of Christmas or at another suitable time on Christmas Day.

When all have gathered, a suitable song may be sung.

The leader makes the sign of the cross, and all reply “Amen.”

The leader may greet those present in the following words:

Let us glorify Christ our light, who brings salvation and peace into our midst, now and forever. R/. Amen.

In the following or similar words, the leader prepares those present for the blessing:

My brothers and sisters, amidst signs and wonders Christ Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea: his birth brings joy to our hearts and enlightenment to our minds. With this tree, decorated and adorned, may we welcome Christ among us; may its lights guide us to the perfect light.

One of those present or the leader reads a text of sacred Scripture, for example, Titus 3:4-7 or Ezekiel 17:22-24 ( I will plant a tender shoot on the mountain heights of Israel.)

Reader: The Word of the Lord.
R/. Thanks be to God.

The intercessions are then said.

The leader says: Let us ask God to send his blessing upon us and upon this sign of our faith in the Lord.

R/. Lord, give light to our hearts. That this tree of lights may remind us of the tree of glory on which Christ accomplished our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

R/. That the joy of Christmas may always be in our homes, let us pray to the Lord.

R/. That the peace of Christ may dwell in our hearts and in the world, let us pray to the Lord.

R/. After the intercessions the leader invites all present to say the Lord’ s Prayer. The leader 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.

R/.  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.

The lights of the tree are then illuminated.

The leader concludes the rite by signing himself or herself with the sign of the cross and saying: May the God of glory fill our hearts with peace and joy, now and forever.

R/.  Amen.

The blessing concludes with a verse from “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”:
O come, thou dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by thine advent here; disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death’ s dark shadow put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

—From “Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers”

 

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Gathered around the Christmas Crèche, Manger or Nativity Scene,

All: Make the sign of the cross as the leader of prayer says:

Leader: Our help is in the name of the Lord.

All: Who made heaven and earth.

Leader: As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, we pause to bless this Christmas manger scene. The practice of erecting such mangers was begun by Saint Francis of Assisi as a means to set forth the message of Christmas. When we look upon these figures, the Christmas Gospel comes alive and we are moved to rejoice in the mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God.

Reader: Proclaim Luke 2:1-8
* In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus* that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son.* She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. * Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock.

Leader: Let us pray.
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 up our hearts and thoughts to Him, who is God-with-us and Savior of all, and who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

As the Christmas Tree is lit, those gathered may complete their prayer and praise by singing, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”

 

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