Hey Deacon!

The Church has many beautiful rituals and customs to draw upon in Advent.  There is the Advent Wreath, the Jesse Tree, Advent hymns, Mary on the Mantle, the Nativity Scene (properly staged) and the countdown to Christmas Advent Calendar.  In my family, on the first night of Advent, I would pray the Advent Wreath blessing prayer -- no priest or deacon required. On other Advent evenings before dinner, Beth and I would lead our family in the daily Advent prayer with our children taking turns each night lighting the Advent candles.
 
A new tradition that Beth and I have is blessing our Christmas Tree on the first night that we set it up, usually the third Sunday of Advent. I emphasize that this is a fairly new tradition because we were unaware that the Catholic Church had such a wonderful ritual blessing for the Christmas Tree.  And again, no priest or deacon required.
 
Below is the Christmas Tree Blessing if you wish to add this to your family tradition. I have included the complete blessing which can be found on the USCCB’s website. Blessing of a Christmas Tree | USCCB
 
The leader makes the sign of the cross, and all reply “Amen.”

 Leader: Let us glorify Christ our light, who brings salvation and peace into our midst, now and forever.
 R/. Amen.
 
Leader: My brothers and sisters, amidst signs and wonders Christ Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea: his birth brings joy to our hearts and enlightenment to our minds. With this tree, decorated and adorned, may we welcome Christ among us; may its lights guide us to the perfect light.
 
Then the leader can offer a short bible verse and add these intercessory prayers:
 
Leader: Let us ask God to send his blessing upon us and upon this sign of our faith in the Lord.
 R/. Lord, give light to our hearts.

 Leader: That this tree of lights may remind us of the tree of glory on which Christ accomplished our salvation, let us pray to the Lord. 
R/. Lord, give light to our hearts.
 
 Leader: That the joy of Christmas may always be in our homes, let us pray to the Lord. 
R/. Lord, give light to our hearts.
 
 Leader: That the peace of Christ may dwell in our hearts and in the world, let us pray to the Lord. 
R/. Lord, give light to our hearts.
 
Following the intercessory prayers, the leader says the following prayer with hands joined together:
 
Lord our God, we praise you for the light of creation; the sun, the moon, and the stars of the night. We praise you for the light of Israel: the Law, the prophets, and the wisdom of the Scriptures. We praise you for Jesus Christ, your Son. He is Emmanuel, God-with-us, the Prince of Peace, who fills us with the wonder of your love.
 
 Lord God, let your blessing come upon us as we illumine this tree. May the light and cheer it gives be a sign of the joy that fills our hearts. May all who delight in this tree come to the knowledge and joy of salvation. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
 R/. Amen.
 
May the God of glory fill our hearts with peace and joy, now and forever.
 R/. Amen.
Author Bio:
 Deacon Dan Vaughn