pat loughery

This is a traditional New Year’s Day blessing in the Scottish isles and highlands. It comes from Alexander Carmichael’s excellent collection of traditional sayings and prayers which he collected and published in the Carmina Gadelica.

GOD, bless to me the new day,
Never vouchsafed to me before;
It is to bless Thine own presence
Thou hast given me this time, O God.

Bless Thou to me mine eye,
May mine eye bless all it sees;
I will bless my neighbour,
May my neighbour bless me.

God, give me a clean heart,
Let me not from sight of Thine eye;
Bless to me my children and my wife,
And bless to me my means and my cattle.

As with many other elements of this Christian tradition, I love how it speaks to me and for me.

I love how it recognizes that each day is given as a new wonder, for the purpose of being present with God.

I love that it asks that my eye is baptized, and that my eye baptizes what it takes in.

I love that it reminds me to initiate being good to my neighbor, whether or not they are good to me.

I love the constant reminder to be clean in heart and within God’s sight.

I love the inclusion and priority on wife and children, job and household items.

+May 2011 be a fresh start for you, rooted deeply in the presence of God and family and neighbor.+