“Blessing of the Toys” Liturgy

Local congregations are welcome to download or link . Please credit the Rev. Stephen West and Interpreter OnLine.

When God made Adam and Eve and placed them in the garden, he put them in charge of taking good care of the earth. They named the animals and began to work with the land.

Ever since then, girls and boys, women and men have enjoyed not only work but also play. God gave us the ability to make games and invent toys to help us enjoy ourselves and enjoy growing in our love for each other.

The tradition of Christmas gifts for children began with Magi from the East, who brought little Jesus three gifts of delight. So today, let us hold up our toys and hold them high.

(The children hold up their toys)

Let ’s remember the one who made us, and gave us hearts and minds that love to have fun, to share and to grow as we play. Let us pray:

Bless our toys, oh Lord. Help us be truly grateful for the time you give us to play. Help all of our play to be holy play. In Jesus ’ name, Amen.

The Rev. Stephen West, December 2010, Grace United Methodist Church, Huntsville, Ala. West is now senior pastor at Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Birmingham.

Interpreter OnLine, www.interpretermagazine.org, October 2011