Mealtime Prayers for Christmas

"When the family gathers for meals on Christmas Day and throughout Christmastide, it is a natural time to reecho the great fact: "This day Christ is born!" Many families find that special meal prayers which repeat the beautiful texts from the Christmas Masses and Office are a great help in keeping the Christmas theme in mind and in meditating on its meaning. Meal prayers can be as simple as the reading of one of the Christmas collects from the missal, together with the traditional grace." ~ The Twelve Days of Christmas

The following prayers, from The Twelve Days of Christmas Kit, are for before and after both breakfast and dinner and may be used throughout the Christmas season:

Before Breakfast

Leader: The Word was made flesh, alleluia, alleluia!
All: And dwelt among us, alleluia, alleluia!
Leader: Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad,
All: Before the face of the Lord, for He comes.
Leader: Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty. Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

After Breakfast

Leader: Glory to God in the highest!
All: And on earth peace to men of good will, alleluia!
Leader: The Lord has reigned,
All: And He is clothed with beauty.
Leader: O Almighty God, the Savior of the world, who hast nourished us with heavenly food, we give Thee thanks for the gift of this bodily refreshment which we have received from Thy bountiful mercy. Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

Before Dinner

Leader: All the ends of the earth have seen, alleluia!
All: The Salvation of our God, alleluia!
Leader: Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
All: The Lord is God and He has shone upon us.
Leader: Lord, have mercy on us.
All: Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.
Leader: Our Father....as it is in heaven.
All: Give us this day....Amen.
Leader: Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty. Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

After Dinner

Leader: The goodness of God our Savior has appeared.
All: Not by the works of Justice which we have done, but according to His mercy, He saved us.
Leader: A sanctified day has shone upon us, alleluia!
All: Come, you nations, and adore the Lord!
Leader: Let us pray. Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that the new birth in the flesh of Thine only-begotten Son may set us free, whom the old bondage holds under the yoke of sin. Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Leader: We give Thee thanks, Almighty God, for these and all Thy gifts, which we have received from Thy bounty. Who livest and reignest world without end.
All: Amen.

Wishing you all a very Blessed Christmas,
from all of us here at Catholic Cuisine!