Christmas is fast approaching, and I finally found time to sit down to write some Christmas cards. I am a little late for pre-Christmas delivery to Ireland, but as always, my cards are better late than never.
As I was writing to family and friends, I started thinking about lovely, old, Irish Christmas Blessings. Their words hold true, just as when they were first uttered many years ago. The warmth of these heart-felt wishes is moving to this very day.
And so today, as many of us write our Christmas wishes to loved ones, I thought I might share some of my favorite, Irish Christmas Blessings.
“May the Blessings of Christmas be with you,
May the Christ Child light your way,
May God’s holy angels guide you,
And keep you safe each day.”
“The light of the Christmas star to you,
The warmth of home and hearth to you,
The cheer and good will of friends to you,
The hope of a childlike heart to you,
The joy of a thousand angels to you,
The love of the Son,
And God’s peace to you.”
“May you be blessed
With the spirit of the season, which is peace,
The gladness of the season, which is hope,
And the heart of the season, which is love.”
“May peace and plenty be the first
To lift the latch on your door,
And happiness be guided to your home,
By the candle of Christmas.”
This Christmas may you have…
“Walls for the wind
And a roof for the rain,
And drinks bedside the fire,
Laughter to cheer you,
And those you love near you,
And all that your heart may desire.”
“The magic of Christmas lingers on,
Though childhood days have passed,
Upon the common round of life
A Holy Spell is cast.”
~ Old Celtic Verse
“May you never forget what is worth remembering,
Or remember what is best forgotten.”
“May the Virgin and her Child
lift your latch on Christmas night.”
“May you be as contented as Christmas finds you,
All the year round.”
“May joy and peace surround you,
Contentment latch your door,
And happiness be with you,
And bless you evermore.”
“May peace and plenty be yours,
For many a Christmas to come.”
Nollaig faoi shéan is faoi shonas duit.
(A prosperous and happy Christmas to you!)
Irish American Mom
this was beautiful. thanks for sharing.
So glad you enjoyed these blessings, Norma. Wishing you a very happy Christmas.
Mairéad
As an English teacher in Brazil I always love providing my student with authentic material in English and I was looking for some Christmas greetings to give them a card and I found your lovely Irish Christmas greetings. I loved them. They are warm and hold the spirit of love.
Thank you for sharing.
Laura – I’m so glad you found my collection of Irish blessings for Christmas. Their spirit of love has endured for centuries. It is nice to know these sentiments of gratitude continue to be shared throughout the world today.
Have a wonderful Christmas,
Mairéad
Love these. Thanks so much for sharing Mairead. Merry Christmas!
Holly – Have a wonderful Christmas too. Glad you enjoyed these seasonal Irish blessings.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Just now seeing these, Mairead. Love the images as well as the words. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas. God’s richest blessings to you in 2014!
Cheryl – Hope you too had a lovely Christmas. Best wishes for to you for 2014. I hope you have a wonderful year, with many writing successes awaiting you.
Take care,
Mairead
Hello, I hope you don’t mind but I sent your blog info. to my brother and Irish Catholic Priest in Illinois. We grew up in Wisconsin which resembles Ireland (so he says…I haven’t visited yet but will!) and thought I’d share his books he has written. No this is not a solicitation but a sharing of all things that are Irish with those that will appreciate it. His novel that is fantasy/fiction (like CS Lews or Tolkien) synopsis can be found here: http://www.erbarr.com/Synopsis.aspx
The Celtic Prayer book he wrote during his travels in Ireland is an updated approach to the timeless spiritual pathway of Celtic spirituality. Msgr. Barr shows readers how the basic tenets of Celtic spirituality have incredible importance and meaning for today’s believers. can be found here:
http://www.actapublications.com/spirituality/celtic/shadowofthecross/
Merry Christmas and I have my candle in the Window. To read some of Msgr. Barr’s Irish Homilies go to his blog…
http://anamchara.blogs.com/anamchara/2010/12/index.html
Scroll down the page for his candle in the window homily…
Hi Sara – Thank you so much for these wonderful links. I read Msgr. Barr’s Christmas candle homily – such a beautiful, touching story.
Thanks again for sharing.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
As a Catholic I found all your Irish blessing truly beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing them with us all. Being a Teacher of Creative Writing at a University, I encourage my students to write Christmas blessings and share them with others throughout campus. My classroom is full of many sweet blessing from them all and some are even Irish. I wanted to share with you a blessing my student wrote. “May all the beauty and blessing of the Christmas season fill your heart with endless love and may the coming year bring you warmth, peace, love and joy into your life, as you’ve brought me. Marry Christmas”.
Marry Christmas to you and you’re wonderful family.
Thank you so much for stopping by and for sharing that beautiful blessing written by your student – what heart warming and sincere sentiments for this holy season.
Best wishes to you and your family for a very happy Christmas.
Mairéad
May the Good Lord bless & keep You whether near or far away May You find that long awaited golden day today May Your troubles all be small ones…May Your blessings,10 ×10…May the Good Lord bless & keep You ’til we meet again.
Taken from a little song
🙂 🙂 🙂
Just lovely, Barbara. Thanks so much for sharing this with us.
Christmas and New Year blessings to you and yours.
Mairéad