Family Prayers for Advent and Epiphany

CLM offers the following prayers for families or other small groups to first prepare for Christmas during Advent and then the Epiphany of Jesus as our King.
 

Prayer for Family Advent Wreath Advent Prayer for Families [Materials needed: Advent wreath, Bible, Advent Prayer Card] O Come, O Come Emmanuel (or a familiar Christmas Carol) O come, o come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel that mourns in earthly exile here, until the Son of God appear.  Rejoice! Rejoice, Emmanuel, shall come to thee, O Israel. Lighting of the Advent Wreath First Sunday of Advent (and week following):  We light the candle of Promise.  God promised through the prophets to send a Messiah to save all people from sin and sadness.  Jesus is the fulfillment of these promises. Second Sunday of Advent (and week following):  We light the candles of Promise and of Hope.  The birth of Jesus gives us hope that sickness, sin, and sadness will never have the final say in our lives.  Jesus came to give us abundant life (John 10:10) in this world and eternal life in the next. Third Sunday of Advent (and week following):  We light the candles of Promise, Hope, and Joy.  "Rejoice always!" says St. Paul (Philippians 4:4).  Joy, laughter, and celebration are the great signs of the presence of God. Fourth Sunday of Advent (and week following): We light the candles of Promise, Hope, Joy, and Love.  God is love and Jesus is God, "love with skin and bones "  For God so loved the world, Jesus, God's beloved Son, was sent into the world not to condemn it, but to save it! (John 3:16) Advent Grace (after lighting Advent Wreath):   Mary and Joseph, no room at the inn, don't be afraid, we'll be your friends.  This Advent-tide, please be our guests.  Our hearts are open, come and rest. With thankful hearts and songs of praise, we wait the coming holy days. God, bless this food we are to share from your goodness and loving care. Amen. Copyright November, 2000, Lori and Robert Fontana and Catholic Life Ministries of Yakima, 905 Cornell Avenue, Yakima, WA 98902.  Please write for permission to reprint.

Journey to Epiphany: Family Prayer from December 25 - January 6 [Materials needed: nativity set and three white candles each with a ribbon tied around its base. The ribbons are colored red (myrrh), gold (gold), and frankincense (purple) symbolizing the gifts of the Magi.] All sing a familiar Christmas carol Lighting of the Candles of the Magi: Mom and Dad:  Let the children say "Glory" to celebrate Christmas! Kids shout "Glory!" Light the Candle of the Magi (Someone lights the candles while the following prayer is spoken.) We light the candle of gold, a precious gift fit for a king.  We light the candle of frankincense, a sweet fragrance to honor a king.  We light the candle of myrrh, a bitter perfume to anoint the king who will give his life for us. Family Prayer:  To Bethlehem we travel, the wise men from the east, across the days of Christmas to the Epiphany Feast.  Give us the courage of the Magi as we begin our search for you.  Give us the eyes of the Magi that we might see the star that leads us too.  And when we get to Bethlehem on that holy Epiphany day, give us the heart of the Magi that humbles us to pray. Close with a familiar Christmas Carol Copyright November, 2000, Lori and Robert Fontana and Catholic Life Ministries of Yakima, 905 Cornell Avenue, Yakima, WA 98902.  Please write for permission to reprint.