The Blessing Of A Christmas Tree

A popular custom among many is to bless the family Christmas tree. It’s a beautiful way to begin the Christmas season. The tree can be blessed before or after the decorations have been added but it is usually always blessed before the first lighting of the tree. When you are ready to do the blessing, gather everyone around the tree and recite the following prayer. A leader should be chosen to recite the pray while all else follow accordingly.

To begin, everyone should make the sign of the cross and say “in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen”

(The Leader) .....sprinkles the tree with Holy Water and begins the prayer..... “Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and all that fills it resound. Let the fields and everything in them exult. Then all the trees of the forest will shout for joy before the LORD, for He is coming—for He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with His faithfulness.”

(All Respond) “Thanks be to God.”

(The Leader) “Let us now pray for God’s blessing upon all who gather around this tree.”

After a short silence, the leader prays.....

(The Leader) “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.”

(All Respond) “Amen.”

(The Leader) “God of all creation, we praise you for this tree which brings beauty and memories and the promise of life to our home. May your blessing be upon all who gather around this tree, all who keep the Christmas festival by its lights. We wait for the coming of the Christ, the days of everlasting justice and peace. You are our God, living and reigning, for ever and ever. Amen.”


.........The lights of the tree are then illuminated.........


(The Leader) “Let us bless the Lord.”

(All Respond while making the sign of the cross) “Thanks be to God.”

(All Pray Together) “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. Amen. ”