On this first day of the New Year it always seems meaningful for me to call to mind the friends and family that I have lost – to death or distance or time – and pray for them.  But today, as I read through a wonderful book that one of those friends once sent me as a birthday gift, I rediscovered a lovely Celtic blessing that does not limit blessings to just a few but extends them to all.  I thought it would be a fitting way to begin this first new day of the year by sharing it.

Beannacht ar chách

(Blessing on everyone)

Nara tiugha féar ag fás

(Not more generous the growing blades of grass)

Ná gaineamh ar thrá

(Nor the grains of sand on the shore)

Ná drúcht ar bhán

(Nor the dewdrops on the pasture)

Ná na beannachtaí ó Rí na ngrás

(be the blessings of the Kind of grace)

Ar gach anam a bhí, a bheidh ná atá.

(on every soul that was, that will be or that is.)

From The Glenstal Book of Prayer