As Thanksgiving approaches, Unitarian Universalist families often consider blessings that might be said before a meal.

Here are a few of my favorites:

“For the food before us,
the family (and friends) beside us,
and the love that surrounds us,
we are truly grateful.” –Sarah Richards

“Earth, who gives to us this food,
Sun, who makes it ripe and good.
Dear Earth, dear Sun, by you we live,
To you our loving thanks we give.”

“O Great Spirit –In the future, as in the past,
Grant us abundance.”

“For food in a world where many walk in hunger,
For faith in a world where many walk in fear,
For friends in a world where many walk alone,
We give thanks.”

(Sung to the tune of Edelweiss)
Bless our food,
Bless our friends,
Come, Spirit be with us.
May our hearts, fill with peace,
let your presence surround us.
Spirit of love may you bloom and grow,
Bloom and grow, forever.
Bless our food,
Bless our friends,
Bless our lives forever.
-Jan Evans-Tiller

“For the hand that feeds us,
The heart that loves us
And the spirit that brings us together
We give thanks.”

-Beryl Aschenberg, Director of Religious Education