Thanksgiving Blessings: Edelweiss and the Doxology

Thanksgiving Table (Photo by Richard C MIller - Getty)

Thanksgiving Table (Photo by Richard C MIller – Getty)

Our family tradition for Thanksgiving grace is sung to the tune of  “Edelweiss” from the Sound of Music. The Von Trapp family at the festival performed the forbidden national anthem as they prepared to escape the country.

Bless our friends,
Bless our food,
Come, O Lord, and sit with us.
Make our talk glow with peace
Come with your love to surround us.
Friendship and peace may it bloom and grow,
Bloom and grow forever.
Bless our friends, bless our food.
Bless our dear land forever.
 

The Doxology

When we celebrate with the family of one of our married children, they sing the doxology, a familiar hymn to both Protestants and Catholics. It’s the last verse of the hymn, “Awake My Soul,” by Thomas Ken in 1674, taken from Psalm 57.

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

What we are thankful for

Wherever we are, after dinner we take turns around the table expressing one or two things we are thankful for. This starts out being sentimental and ends up being hilarious. We leave the table laughing.

What are you most thankful for this Thanksgiving?

(© 2013, revised 2017, 2021 Nancy H C Ward) 

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Nancy Ward

Nancy Ward writes about conversion, Christian community, and Catholicism. After earning a journalism degree, she worked for the Diocese of Dallas newspaper and the Archbishop Sheen Center for Evangelization, then began her own editing service. She’s a regular contributor to CatholicMom.com, SpiritualDirection.com, CatholicWritersGuild.com, NewEvangelizers.com and a contributing author to The Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion. Now, through her Sharing Your Catholic Faith Story: Tools, Tips, and Testimonies workshops, retreats, book, and DVD, she shares her conversion story at Catholic parishes and conferences, equipping others to share their own stories.

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4 Responses

  1. leefstrong says:

    How nice! Thank you for sharing this. Happy Advent to you.

  2. Nancy Ward says:

    We first sang that one at a couples retreat several decades ago. When we sing it, I see all the family saints that have gone on who have been around our family table.

  3. Leslie Lynch says:

    LOVE these, Nancy! We’re going to print out the Edelweiss one and use it! 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving!

  1. December 4, 2013

    […] Nancy Ward has some creative family blessings to share before you get to your Christmas dinner table. […]

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