BEDTIME
Bedtime is a time of letting go of the day. Prayers can reflect gratitude for the day, include blessings for those we love, and acknowledge that God is present through the night. Any activities that help quiet and unwind work here--reading stories, singing lullabies. What is most important is the routine--doing the same thing every night signals it's time for sleep.
Bless One Another
Blessings can happen at anytime, but there is something special about a bedtime snuggle and blessing. A blessing is just to let your child know how much they are loved by you and by God.
Better Bedtime RoutinesWhen it’s time for bed, kids can often balk and dawdle. Try these ideas to make bedtime smoother and less of a hassle.
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The Practice of Laughter
It might seem counterintuitive to get the children "riled up" before bed. But read what this father has to say about the spiritual practice of laughter.
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Bedtime Prayers
Comforter God, erase the shadows from the walls,
the fears from our minds, the weariness from our bones.
Merciful God, forgive us for all we have left undone,
for all we have done that we should not have done.
Now send us into sleep to restore our spirits, to renew our energy,
and to wake clear-eyed and full of your praises. Amen.
--Deborah Payden, Celebrating at Home. United Church Press, 1998
Father, we thank thee for the night,
And for the pleasant morning light;
For rest and food and loving care,
And all that makes the day so fair.
Help us to do the things we should,
To be to others kind and good;
In all we do, in work or play,
To grow more loving every day.
-- Rebecca Weston - 1890
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
See me safely through the night,
And wake me with the morning light.
Father in heaven hear my prayer
Keep me in thy loving care
Be my guide in all I do
And bless all those who love me too.
the fears from our minds, the weariness from our bones.
Merciful God, forgive us for all we have left undone,
for all we have done that we should not have done.
Now send us into sleep to restore our spirits, to renew our energy,
and to wake clear-eyed and full of your praises. Amen.
--Deborah Payden, Celebrating at Home. United Church Press, 1998
Father, we thank thee for the night,
And for the pleasant morning light;
For rest and food and loving care,
And all that makes the day so fair.
Help us to do the things we should,
To be to others kind and good;
In all we do, in work or play,
To grow more loving every day.
-- Rebecca Weston - 1890
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
See me safely through the night,
And wake me with the morning light.
Father in heaven hear my prayer
Keep me in thy loving care
Be my guide in all I do
And bless all those who love me too.
Lullabies
Baby's boat's a silver moon
Sailing o'er the sky
Sailing o'er a sea of
sleep
As the stars go by.
Sail, baby, sail
Out across the
sea
Only don't forget to sail
Back again to me.
Sailing o'er the sky
Sailing o'er a sea of
sleep
As the stars go by.
Sail, baby, sail
Out across the
sea
Only don't forget to sail
Back again to me.
Sleep my child and peace attend thee,
All through the night
Guardian angels God will send thee,
All through the night
Soft the drowsy hours are creeping,
Hill and dale in slumber sleeping
I my loved ones' watch am keeping,
All through the night