Blessing the Bambinelli, figures of the Infant Jesus

It's customary for the pope to bless Infant Jesus figures that children and families bring to St. Peter's Square in Rome on the Third Sunday of Advent. Some parishes, including my own, offer the same blessing at Masses on the weekend before Christmas. If you aren't able to attend one of these blessings, simply hold the Infant from your creche reverently in your hand and invite those you live with to pray as you read this blessing:

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,
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.