The Holy Year, the Jubilee 2025, with the theme of “Pilgrims of Hope.” opens Christmas Eve with the rite of the opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica before Pope Francis celebrates midnight Mass. Subsequently, Holy Doors will be opened at Rome’s three other major basilicas: St. John Lateran on Dec. 29, St. Mary Major on Jan. 1, and St. Paul’s Outside the Walls on Jan. 5. An additional Holy Door will be opened Dec. 26 at Rebibbia Prison, a Roman prison Pope Francis has visited to celebrate Mass and wash inmates’ feet on Holy Thursday.
The Holy Door represents the passage to salvation that Jeus opened for us through his Incarnation. The tradition of opening a Holy Door began in the fifteenth century. At the dawn of the sixteenth century Holy Doors were opened at each of the major Roman basilicas. More information about the Jubilee will be forthcoming.
The following are prayers from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for the blessing of a Christmas tree and the Creche. Merry Christmas to you and yours. Emmanuel – the Prince of Peace, fill us with your wonder and love.
In the home the Christmas tree may be blessed by a parent or another family member, in connection with the evening meal on the Vigil of Christmas or at another suitable time on Christmas Day. Let us glorify Christ our light, who brings salvation and peace into our midst, now and forever. Amen.
In the following or similar words, the leader prepares those present for the blessing:
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.
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.
That the joy of Christmas may always be in our homes, let us pray to the Lord. R/. Lord, give light to our hearts.
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.
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.
The lights of the tree are then illuminated. May the God of glory fill our hearts with peace and joy, now and forever. R/. Amen.
In its present form the custom of displaying figures depicting the birth of Jesus Christ owes its origin to St. Francis of Assisi, who made the Christmas crèche or manger for Christmas Eve of 1223.
The blessing of the Christmas manger or nativity scene may take place on the Vigil of Christmas or at another suitable time.
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 manger; may it remind us of the humble birth of Jesus, and raise our thoughts to him, who is God-with-us and Savior of all, and who lives and reigns forever and ever.
R/. Amen.