Blessing of the Christmas Tree

 

When you've just finished decorating your Christmas tree, why not have it blessed by the father of the family? Here is a simple and beautiful ritual, which we perform every year in Combermere. Psalm 95/96 can be recited by a reader or two readers alternating:

Antiphon: Let all the trees of the forest sing for joy, for the Lord has come.(All repeat antiphon)

O sing a new song to the Lord,
sing to the Lord all the earth.
O sing to the Lord, bless His name.
Proclaim His help day by day,
tell among the nations His glory
and His wonders among all the peoples.
(All repeat antiphon)
The Lord is great and worthy of praise,
to be feared above all gods;
the gods of the heathens are naught.
It was the Lord who made the heavens,
His are majesty and state and power
and splendor in his holy place.
(All repeat antiphon.)
Give the Lord, you families of peoples,
give the Lord glory and power,
give the Lord the glory of His name.
Bring an offering and enter His courts,
worship the Lord in His temple.
O earth, tremble before Him.
(All repeat antiphon.)
Proclaim to the nations: "God is king."
The world he made firm in its place;
He will judge the peoples in fairness.
Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad,
let the sea and all within it thunder praise,
let the land and all it bears rejoice.
All you trees of the forest, shout for joy
at the presence of the Lord for he comes,
He comes to rule the earth.
With justice he will rule the world,
He will judge the peoples with His truth.
All: Glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
All repeat antiphon.

The symbolism of the tree is then explained, and the tree is blessed:

After the fall of our first parents, the earth was bare and desolate; the world stood in the darkness of sin. But when the Savior was born, our earth shone with a new brightness; the glory of the Almighty Father had renewed the world, making it more beautiful than before.

This tree once stood dark and empty in a cold world. But now glowing with lights and ornaments in its new glory, this Christmas tree reflects the new beauty God brought to earth when "the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us." By a tree the whole world has been redeemed, and therefore, with great joy we celebrate the glory of this tree.

We beseech Thee, O Holy God, Father Almighty, to bless this tree, which we have adorned in honor of the new birth of your only-begotten Son, and may you brighten our souls and bodies with the richness and beauty of your grace. Then inwardly enlightened by your splendour shining in this tree, may we come like the wise men to adore Him who is eternal Light and Beauty, the same Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.

- From Donkey Bells, available from MH Publications