Book of Blessings

and how to write your own

,

• Publisher: Wild Goose Publications
• Year: 2001
• ISBN:
  9781905010882
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Rituals & Practice

A collection of blessings for the people, celebrations, sadnesses, artefacts, special occasions and journeys of our lives.

Moments of Our Days

HERE AND NOW

For the unexpected wonder

of love and life and laughter

bursting through my world

like an explosion of stars;

for the wonder of my person

for the people and the journey

which have brought me to this place,

here, now;

for hope, and wonder and awe

at the future:

at all the adventures

the years may contain;

for all these things

I am so richly blessed;

I am brim full of the wonder

of God bedding down in me.

Rosie Miles

BIRTH BLESSING

As I cup my hand

around your head

little one

may God hold you

and keep you.

As I rock you

in my arms

little one

may Christ shield you

and encompass you.

As I bend to kiss your cheek

little one

may the Spirit bless you

and encourage you.

Kate Mcllhagga

BLESSING FOR A PLACENTA

This ceremony involves burying the placenta and planting a tree over it. It should be carried out in the presence of the baby and parent/s, possibly by the parent/s.

God our creator and nurturer,

as the earth receives this placenta

let us give thanks for the way it sustained the life of N… in N…’s womb.

The blood on our hands carries life, pain, birth.

May it now nourish this tree with its vitality.

May the mingling of blood and soil

remind us of our constant connectedness to the earth.

As we see the tree grow

may we be blessed with the joy of life and respect for your creation

and be earthed in the reality of your love.

Amen.

Zam Walker Coleman

A BLESSING THAT COULD BE USED AFTER
A MISCARRIAGE OR ABORTION

Place a symbol for the baby and light a candle.

Compassionate God,

I ask you to bless my baby

and surround her/him with your love.

I ask you to bless me

in my time of loss, grief and continuing bereavement.

I ask that you sustain me

as my body readjusts,

that you uphold me

as I encounter pity and judgement,

that you enfold me

as I come to face the difficult questions in myself and others.

Give me the courage to embrace the pain,

the pain of the end of this possibility,

in order that I may move forward

in truth and love and hope.

Amen.

Zam Walker Coleman

A WELCOME BLESSING

(for Lorna)

Welcome Lorna.

You arrived with the summer roses

petals unfolding, fragile and fragrant,

shaken by the rainstorms,

warmed by the strengthening sun.

Welcome Lorna.

May your life unfold

in warmth and beauty.

May the angels protect you

and the saints tell you stories.

May you be caressed and cherished

and cradled in love.

Welcome Lorna.

May you bring joy

to all who meet you.

May you grow each day

in grace and in wonder.

May you be blessed

with the wildness

and wisdom of God.

Ruth Burgess

BLESSING FOR AN ADOPTIVE FAMILY

Bless the family who adopted my son,

for giving him what I could never have done.

Bless his new mother and father,

his new brother and sister too.

I wish all God’s Blessings to follow you.

Linda Fraser

BLESSING AT THE PLACEMENT OF A CHILD FOR ADOPTION

The blessing of God be on this child;

surrendered in love a...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• List of Blessings
• Dedication
• Introduction
• Little Blessings
• Nights and Days
• Seasons and Festivals – a host of dancing things
• Moments of Our Days
• Work and Leisure
• Houses and Homes – dwellers and dwellings
• Inner Journeys – going and growing
• When the Road is Hard
• Turnings, Endings and New Beginnings
• Setting Out – Going Forth
• The Pilgrim Road
• Responsive Blessings
• Blessings for Individuals
• More Little Blessings
• Writing Blessings – some reflections and resources
• Running a Blessings Workshop
• Index of authors
• A short resource of blessings with musical settings