All parishioners, and especially the children of the parish, are invited to bring the baby Jesus figures from their home crib to be blessed at all the Masses for the Fourth Sunday of Advent in Holy Rosary and Ballintotis. Following the tradition, on their return home after the blessing, the children are invited to wrap the blessed figurines in Christmas wrapping, place them under the tree, or other suitable location, to be opened as the first gift of Christmas, thus encouraging the children to make the connection between the gifts they receive on Christmas Day and the greatest gift that any of us can receive, Jesus.
Family Prayer for placing the figurine in the crib: God our Father, You loved us so much you sent us your only Son, Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary, to save us and lead us back to you. We pray that, with your blessing, these images of Jesus might be a sign of your presence and love in our homes. Good Father, give your blessing to all who gather with us this Christmas, our family and friends. Open our hearts, that we might receive Jesus in joy, do always what he asks of us, and see him in those who need our love. We ask this in the name of Jesus, your beloved Son, who came to give peace to the world. You, who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.