SOLEMN PARALITURGY ORDER OF

BLESSING OF THE ADVENT WREATH

AND NATIVITY SCENCE
Presider’ s Copy

NOVEMBER 27, 2022

 INTRODUCTORY RITES
The present order may be used by a priest or a deacon, and also by a
layperson, who follows the rites and Prayers designated for a lay
minister.
Commentator: A blessed day to all of you, My dear brothers and
sisters in Christ. Today, we shall witness the Solemn Blessing of the
Advent Wreath and the Nativity Scene The Solemn Rite of
Paraliturgy and Blessing will be presided by Reverend
Father.___________
The Priest and the faithful, standing, sign themselves with the Sign
of the Cross, while the Priest, facing the people, says:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
The people reply:
Amen.
Then the Priest, extending his hands, greets the people, saying:
The love of the Father, the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the
communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
The people reply:
And with your spirit.
The Presider briefly introduces the faithful to the Paraliturgy of the
day.
My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, With hearts full of
gratitude and jubilation, we gather around the table of the Lord’s
word and sacrament. Relying on the abundance of his Love and
Grace. We shall witness the Blessing of the Advent Wreath and the
Nativity Scene.
Together with the whole Church, We prepare the way of the Lord
through the season of Advent. The symbols of the Advent Wreath
are interpreted in many ways. The circle of evergreens reminds
Christians of the eternal and ever-renewing promises of Christ. The
candles serve as a reminder that Jesus Christ came into the world to
bring light into the darkness of our lives and to bring us in His
glorious kingdom.
The practice of erecting such mangers was begun by Saint Francis of
Assisi as a means to set forth the message of Christmas. When we
look upon these figures, the Christmas gospel comes alive and we
are moved to rejoice in the mystery of the incarnation of the Son of
God.
COLLECT
Let us Pray,
Almighty God our Father, you created us to be with you forever,
and sent your Son to lead us to eternal life. We ask you now to help
us pray with one heart and one mind as we begin this Advent season
and as we prepare for the birth of your Son.
Who live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy
Spirit, God, forever and ever
The people reply:
Amen.
READING OF THE WORD OF GOD
The faithful will now dispose the faithful for the reading of the
word of God.
FIRST READING Isaiah: 9:1-2, 5-6
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon
those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have
brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, As they rejoice
before you as at the harvest, as men make merry when dividing
spoils. For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder
dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,
Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever
peaceful, From David's throne, and over his kingdom, which he
confirms and sustains By judgment and justice, both now and
forever.
The word of the Lord

PSALM 80
R. Lord, make us turn to you, and we shall be saved.

O shepherd of Israel, hearken, O guide of the flock of Joseph! From

your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim,
Benjamin and Manasseh. R.

Once again, O LORD of hosts, look down from heaven, and see;
Take care of this vine, and protect what your right hand has
planted, the son of man whom you yourself made strong. R.

May your help be with the man of your right hand, with the son of
man whom you yourself made strong. Then we will no more
withdraw from you; give us new life, and we will call upon your
name. R.
GOSPEL Luke 2:1-8
Priest:
The Lord be with you
The people reply:
And with your spirit
Priest:
A proclamation to the Holy Gospel according to Luke
The people reply:
Glory to you O Lord
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the
whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment,
when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled,
each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from
the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called
Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be
enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they
were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave
birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes
and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in
the inn.
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and
keeping the night watch over their flock.
The Good News of Our Salvation.
HOMILY*
The Homily will be done upon the consultation with the
Officiating Priest.
GENERAL INTERCESSIONS
The intercessions are then said. The minister introduces them and an
assisting minister or one of those present announces the intentions. From
the following those best suited to the occasion may be used or adapted, or
other intentions that apply to the particular circumstances may be
composed.
The Presider will recite the following:
Christ came to bring us salvation and has promised to come again. Let us
ask for God's blessing on this Advent Wreath and Christmas Nativity Scene
and upon ourselves, that we who reflect on the birth of Jesus may share in
the salvation he accomplished. For every petition we say;
Lord hear our prayer,
Assisting minister:
That the keeping of Advent may open our hearts to God's love, we pray to
the Lord. R.
Assisting minister:
That the light of Christ may penetrate the darkness of sin, we pray to the
Lord. R.
Assisting minister:
That this wreath may constantly remind us to prepare for the coming of
Christ, we pray to the Lord. R.
Assisting minister:
That the Christmas season may fill us with peace and joy as we strive to
follow the example of Jesus, we pray to the Lord. R.
After the intercessions the Priest, in the following or similar words, invites
all present to sing or say the Lord's Prayer:
Let us pray the prayer that Jesus himself taught us
All:
Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy Will be done,
on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
PRAYER OF BLESSING FOR THE ADVENT WREATH
A minister who is a priest or deacon says the prayer of blessing with hands outstretched:
Let us pray.
Lord our God, your Church joyfully awaits the coming of its Savior,
who enlightens our hearts and dispels the darkness of ignorance and
sin.
Pour forth your blessings ✠ upon us as we light the candles of this
wreath; may the wreath and its light be a sign of Christ's promise to
bring us salvation. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
The people acclaim:
Amen.
A minister who is a priest or deacon will now sprinkle the Holy Water to the Advent Wreath.
PRAYER OF BLESSING FOR THE NATIVITY SCENCE
A minister who is a priest or deacon says the prayer of blessing with hands outstretched:
Let us pray.

God of every nation and people, from the very beginning of

creation you have made manifest your love: when our need for a
Savior was great you sent your Son to be born of the Virgin Mary.
To our lives he brings joy and peace, justice, mercy, and love.
Lord, bless all who look upon this nativity scene; ✠ may it remind
us of the humble birth of Jesus, and raise up our thoughts to him,
who is God-with-us and Savior of all, and who lives and reigns for
ever and ever.
The people acclaim:
 Amen.

A minister who is a priest or deacon will now sprinkle the Holy Water to the Nativity Scene
/Belen.

CONCLDING RITES

FINAL BLESSING
The Celebrant, facing the people and extending his hands, says:
The Lord be with you.
The people reply:
And with your spirit.
The Celebrant will say
Bow your heads and pray for God’s Blessing
May the light of Christ lead you to the joy of his kingdom, now
and forever.
R. Amen.
The Presider:
May Christ our God enlighten your hearts and minds, now and
forever.
R. Amen.
Then the Presider says
And may almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, + and
the Holy Spirit.
R. Amen.
Deacon/Priest:
Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.
All reply:
Thanks be to God.

***