Catholic Christmas Dinner Prayer: The Short Form

If you are fortunate enough to have a group of family and friends in your home for Christmas dinner, offering a short prayer before feasting will focus your family on Christmas as a special day of gratitude. For Catholics, the Christmas dinner is an extension of the celebration of Catholic Mass. Even if there are one or two who are not Catholic among your guests or who have dropped out of attending formal church services, your table is your home altar and as long as you keep the prayers direct and short it would be surprising if anyone objected. In your Catholic home, a Christmas Dinner Prayer would be expected and most likely appreciated. When it's dinner time, whether you've set up a formal meal or a tub of chicken from a fast food restaurant, announce that everything is ready, and that everyone should come to the table. Wait for everyone to get there.

Wait for the Pause

You know that pause before the first one grabs a plate and starts digging in? Don't miss that pause! Or, you will not be able to get everyone's attention again without things becoming awkward. Step into that pause with your Christmas Dinner Prayer. It should work out just fine.

Light the Christmas Candle

When everyone is ready, have one of the older children light a candle or two, or do it yourself. The flame of the candle is a reminder that God is present in your home and helps to create a moment of reflection and interest. It is part of that pause mentioned earlier. Any kind of candle will do but you can pick up a festive one from a religious good store or even a dollar store.

To add special meaning to this part of the little ceremony, don't forget to take the candle to church with you on Christmas and ask the priest to bless it. He'll be happy to do it. Catholic priests like to bless things.It might also be a moment to mention to that you are planning a special Catholic Christmas Dinner Prayer before you eat.

Then, recite the prayer printed at the end of this article or have another adult do it. Remember, children are important at Christmas but adults are called to express their religious sentiments, too. It might be cute to have one of the little kids read the prayer but consider you or another adult to lead the prayer.

Once everyone is gathered and the talking has stopped, offer the following prayer, or make up your own prayer.

Anounce the Christmas Festive Dinner Prayer

God of love, we gather around this table on Christmas Day to thank you for the Holy Communion which nourished us today (or last night) and for the words we heard at Mass announcing your message of hope for the world. You are the Light of the World!,

To show us how much You love us, Your Son was born as an infant in a poor manger. As the angels announced his birth to the shepherds, so the Church once again proclaims His birth to remind us again that You became one of us so that we could become more like You.

Look with love on us and on our world which this Christmas is so in need of peace. Let your peace, then, be with each of us, as we ask you to bless this food and our celebration. We ask this in the Name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Don't forget to have the candle set up in a prominant place and the matches at hand.

See also www.blessingsofchristmas.com for other ideas on Christmas prayer.