Prayer:
All make the sign of the cross. The leader begins:
Let us praise the Lord of days and seasons and years, saying: Glory to God in the highest!
All respond:
And peace to his people on earth!
Leader:
Our lives are made of days and nights, of seasons and years, for we are part of a universe of suns and moons and planets. We mark ends and we make beginnings and, in all, we praise God for the grace and mercy that fill our days.
Then Scripture is read:
Read from the book of Genesis (Genesis 1:14-19) OR Psalms (Ps 90:1-4)
The reader concludes:
This is the Word of the Lord.
All respond:
Thanks be to God.
After a time of silence, members of the household offer prayers of thanksgiving for the past year, and of intercession for the year to come. In conclusion, all pray the Lord's Prayer.
Leader:
Let us now pray for God's blessing in the new year.
After a short silence, parents may place their hands on their children in blessing as the leader says:
Remember us, 0 God;
from age to age be our comforter.
You have given us the wonder of time,
blessings in days and nights, seasons and years.
Bless your children at the turning of the year
and fill the months ahead with the bright hope
that is ours in the coming of Christ.
You are our God, living and reigning, for ever and ever.
R. Amen.
From catholicculture.org
