On the 3rd Sunday of Advent, churches around the diocese, and across the world, will respond to Pope Francis reminder that this coming Christmas reminds us of the fundamental truth of our faith, and in front of the manger we will be able to receive a special Joy today just thinking that in the newborn Jesus, we see the Face of God who made himself close to us out of his pure love for us.
At St Joseph’s, Dundee, Fr Leszek said, “in this light, it gives me great Joy to begin this new tradition in St Joseph’s Church of the Blessing of the little figures of the Baby Jesus, the Bambinello, from all the families in the parish to be placed later in the nativity scenes in our homes.
At St Joseph’s, Dundee, and churches worldwide, parishioners will join Pope Francis’s prayer of blessing:
“God, our Father you so loved humankind that you sent us your only Son Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary, to save us and lead us back to you. We pray for your Blessing on these images of Jesus, who is about to come among us, and especially on Christmas Day, that they may be a sign of your presence and love in our homes and in our families. Good Father, in your mercy, give your Blessing to us too, to our parents, to our grandparents, to our families and to our friends. Open our hearts, so that we may be able to receive Jesus in peace, love and joy, and may we always do what he asks, and allow us to see him in all those who are in need of your love. We ask you this in the name of Jesus, your beloved Son who with the Holy Spirit comes to give the whole world his peace at Christmas. Who lives and reigns forever and ever.Amen.”