Catholic Prayer: Advent Table Blessing 1

Description:

These prayers are used from the Saturday preceding the First Sunday of Advent through Christmas Eve. They could be included in the ceremony of lighting the Advent wreath.

Prayer:

BEFORE THE MEAL

Leader: Just as the rain and snow come down from heaven, giving seed for sowing and bread to eat, so shall the word be that goes forth from the mouth of God. A voice cries, "Prepare in the wilderness a way for the Lord. Clear a highway across the desert for our God."

ALL: Every valley shall be lifted up, every mountain and hill brought low.

Leader: Sow freely, Lord God, the seed of your blessing upon our table and upon all of us. May it strengthen us to serve you and each other. This we ask through Christ our Lord.

ALL: Amen.

AFTER THE MEAL

Leader: Lord our God, we thank you for this meal together and for inviting us to accept your kingdom like children taking bread from the hands of their parents. Let us live in your peace, at home with you all the days of our lives. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

ALL: Amen.

Prayer Source: Prayers at Meals by Michael Kwatera, O.S.B. and Dietrich Reinhart, O.S.B., The Liturgical Press