Blessing of a Christmas Manger Or Nativity Scene

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Blessing of a Christmas Manger or Nativity Scene In its present form, the custom of displaying The blessing of the Christmas manger or figures depicting the birth of Jesus Christ nativity scene may take place on the Vigil of owes its origin to St. Francis of Assisi, who Christmas or at another suitable time. made the Christmas crèche or manger for When the manger is set up in the home, it is Christmas Eve of 1223. appropriate that it be blessed by a parent or another family member. • All make the sign of the cross as the Now there were shepherds in that region leader says: living in the fields and keeping the night Our help is in the name of the Lord. watch over their flock. R/. Who made heaven and earth. Or Isaiah 7:10-15—The birth of Emmanuel. One of those present or the leader reads a Reader: The Gospel of the Lord. text of sacred Scripture, for example: R/. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. Listen to the words of the holy Gospel The leader prays with hands joined: according to Luke: 2:1-8 God of every nation and people, In those days a decree went out from from the very beginning of creation Caesar Augustus that the whole world you have made manifest your love: should be enrolled. This was the first when our need for a Savior was great enrollment, when Quirinius was governor you sent your Son to be born of the Virgin of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each Mary. to his own town. And Joseph too went up To our lives he brings joy and peace, from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to justice, mercy, and love. Judea, to the city of David that is called Lord, Bethlehem, because he was of the house bless all who look upon this manger; and family of David, to be enrolled with may it remind us of the humble birth of Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. Jesus, While they were there, the time came for and raise our thoughts to him, her to have her child, and she gave birth who is God-with-us and Savior of all, to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in and who lives and reigns forever and ever. swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, R/. Amen. because there was no room for them in the inn. Prayer taken from the Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers, Revised Edition (Washington, DC: USCCB, 2007), 82–84. USCCB Copyright © 2007, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington DC. All rights reserved..

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