ORDER OF BLESSING

This tree is a blessing to our home. It reminds us of all that is beautiful, all that is filled with the
gentleness and the promise of God. It stands in our midst as a tree of light, that we might
promise such beauty to one another and to our world. It stands like that tree of paradise that
God made into the tree of life, the cross of Jesus.

Hymn: O Come All Ye Faithful

1.O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant!

O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem! Come and behold Him born the King of angels!

Refrain: Venite adoremus! venite adoremus! Venite adoremus, Dominum!

2. Sing choirs of angels! Sing in exultation!

Sing all ye citizens of heaven above. Glory to God, all glory in the highest.

PRIEST: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. R:
Amen

PRIEST: May the light of Christ, who is our peace and salvation, be always with you.

R: And with your Spirit.

PRIEST: 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 may we welcome Christ among us; may its lights guide us to the perfect light.

READING OF THE WORD OF GOD

A Reading from the Letter of Paul to Titus: (3:4-7)

His own compassion saved us. But when the kindness and generous love of God our savior
appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us
through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us
through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in
hope of eternal life.

The Word of the Lord.

Anthem: Hark the Herald
 The faithful may now hang the ornaments on the Christmas tree and silently pray for
their loved ones

Hark! the herald angels sing, Christ, by highest heaven adored:

"Glory to the new-born King!
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled."
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th' angelic host proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem."
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born King!
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of the favoured one.
Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see;
Hail, th'incarnate Deity:
Pleased, as man, with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born King!

The minister
Christ, mayheaven
by highest give those
adored:present a brief exhortation.
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold him come,
INTERCESSIONS
Offspring of the favoured one.
Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see;
PRIEST: Let usDeity:
Hail, th'incarnate ask God to send his blessing upon us and upon this sign of our faith in the
Pleased,
Lord. as man, with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
R.Hark!
Lord, thegive light
herald to our
angels sing,hearts.
"Glory to the new-born King!

That the Church may always reflect the joy of Jesus Christ
who enlightens our hearts, let us pray to the Lord. R.

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.

PRIEST: With confident faith let us pray as Christ taught us:

All: Our Father . . .

PRAYER OF BLESSING

A minister who is a priest or deacon says the prayer of blessing with hands outstretched:

PRIEST: 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.

The candles or lights of the tree are then illuminated.

Song: Come, Be Our Light

1. We are lost in the night. Searching, longing for day.

Weary, broken by sin, we seek your face, yearn to be saved.

2. You are Savior of All, Son of God the Most High.

You alone bring us hope, healing and strength, mercy and light.

Refrain: Come, Lord Jesus Christ. Be with us now. Come and renew us.
Come, oh, Prince of Peace. Dwell in our hearts. Come, be our way, our truth, and life.
Conquer the night. Come, be our light, Emmanuel.

3. Save us, Emmanuel, be our God with us now

Grant us goodness and grace, justice and peace, fullness of life. (Refrain 2x)

Be with us now. Dwell in our hearts. Conquer the night. Come, be our light.

CONCLUDING RITE

PRIEST: May the God of glory fill your hearts with peace and joy, now and for ever.
R. Amen.

PRIEST: And may almighty God bless you all, the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.
R. Amen.
Song: Joy to the World
Lighting of the Christmas Tree Ceremony