pat loughery

My family just finished praying the following prayer, which comes from the excellent resource Celtic Daily Prayer (the Northumbria Community‘s gift to the world.  That’s an Amazon link, but do yourself a favor and buy the book from Bean Books instead).

It is a prayer of the open door, and is found on page 238 of the Celtic Daily Prayer book.

This is to be used as a ‘first-footing’ prayer. In Scotland and the northern parts of England, New Year is given much importance: folk go from house to house wishing each other a good year ahead, and celebrate their good wishes with food and plenty of drink. It is often seen as important who should be the first to cross the threshold and ‘bring in the year’ once midnight has passed.

This song (spoken or sung) asks Christ Himself to come and ‘first-foot’ for us. The door is opened to welcome Him in and invite His blessing, whether he comes in silence or in the company of other guests.

This day is a new day

that has never been before.

This year is a new year,

the opening door.

(Open the door)

Enter, Lord Christ –

we have joy in Your coming.

You have given us life;

and we welcome Your coming.

I turn now to face You,

I lift up my eyes.

Be blessing my face, Lord;

be blessing my eyes.

May all my eye looks on

be blessed and be bright,

my neighbors, my loved ones

be blessed in Your sight.

You have given us life

and we welcome Your coming.

Be with us, Lord,

we have joy, we have joy

This year is a new year,

the opening door.

Be with us, Lord,

we have joy, we have joy

As a family of four we prayed this prayer. First, Kaileigh lit the candle; then we walked to the front door of our home and prayed it, with the door open.

Then, my niece Kelcey came over, presumably bringing Christ with her, to help us celebrate New Year’s Eve, Loughery family style.