Introduction For Blessing Easter Baskets at Home
If you have come to the Holy Saturday Easter Basket blessings the following prayers will sound very familiar. The reason is because Deacon Tom and I used blessings that anyone can use. The only difference is that at the very end, we used a blessing that only the ordained (priests and deacons) can use on those who gathered and used Holy Water. Neither this blessing nor the Holy Water is necessary. I strongly encourage you as a family to gather and pronounce the blessings. Following is a list of readings, please choose one to begin your celebration:
- Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14
- Deuteronomy 8:7-19
- Joel 2:21-24, 26-27
- John 6:1-13
May God’s blessings descend upon you, your loved ones, and our world.
In Jesus’ Resurrection … Fr. David
Blessing of Other Meats
O God, through Moses you commanded your people in their deliverance from Egypt to kill a lamb and mark their doorposts with its blood. We understand this to prefigure our deliverance by Jesus’ shedding of his blood. May it please you to + bless and sanctify this meat which we desire to eat in praise of him, our Paschal Lamb, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Blessing of Bread
Almighty, everlasting God, be pleased to + bless this bread. May it be a healthful food for body and soul, a safeguard against every disease and a defense against all harm. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, the bread of life, who came down from heaven and gives life and salvation to all the world, who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Amen.
Blessing of Dairy Foods
O God, creator and author of all being + bless these cheeses and butter and other dairy foods. Keep us in your love, so that as we partake of them, we may be filled with your bountiful gifts on account of our Lord’s glorious resurrection from the dead. We give you glory to you, our Father without beginning, to your Son who is our true food, and to your good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever.
Amen.
Blessing of Eggs
Father in heaven, let your + blessing come upon these eggs. When we break them, we see a sign of your Son rising to new life from the tomb. May we eat them in joyful celebration of his resurrection, for he lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Amen.
Blessing of Cakes and Pastries
Lord Jesus Christ, living bread of everlasting life, + bless these cakes and pastries as you once blessed the five loaves in the wilderness. As we eat them may we receive the health we desire for body and soul. We ask this of you, our risen Lord, who live and reign for ever and ever.
Amen.
Blessing of other Foods (including Horseradish)
O God, through Moses you directed the Israelites to carry their sheaves to the priests for a blessing. Hear our prayers and + shower abundant blessings on us and these assorted foods which we gratefully present to you in honor of your Son’s resurrections. Grant that we may find them a remedy against sickness, a source of strength for our bodies, and a protection of soul, by calling on your holy name. We ask this through Christ our risen Lord.
Amen.
Blessing of Wine
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of living God, in Cana of Gailee you changed water into wine. Be pleased to + bless this wine which you have given us as refreshment. Grant that whenever it is taken as drink it may be accompanied by an outpouring of your live-giving grace, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Blessing of Children and Their Easter Baskets
Loving God, long ago you told your people to bring the good things for eating and celebrating to your altar in thanksgiving. They obeyed and brought you their baskets of food and grain before they ate and celebrated. Today these boys and girls do the same as they come here with their Easter baskets. We ask to + bless them and their parents and friends. Grant that they and their families may appreciate all that you give them. + Bless their Easter eggs and candy and all that the baskets contain, with which they will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, your Son and our brother. As they eat these foods and candies may their Easter joy increase. We ask this through Christ our risen Lord.
Amen.
Blessing of Beer
Lord, bless this creature, beer, which by Your kindness and power has been produced from kernels of grain, and let it be a healthful drink for mankind. Grant that whoever drinks it with thanksgiving to Your holy name may find it a help in body and in soul; through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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