Irish Christmas Blessings

December 15, 2011 by Irish American Mom 22 Comments

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Irish blessings abound, but at Christmas time the soft, kind words of our Irish ancestors are extra meaningful and touch our hearts in a special way.

These wise old words and kind sentiments are perfect for sharing Christmas greetings with family and friends throughout the holiday time.

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.

Green and gold graphic for Irish American Mom's Irish Christmas Blessing Collection — Irish Christmas Blessings

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.

Christmas Blessings from Ireland
May the Blessings of Christmas Be With You
The Light of The Christmas Star to You
The Spirit of the Season
A Season of Peace and Love
Peace and Plenty
Walls for the Wind
The Magic of Christmas
May You Never Forget
Virgin and Child
Contentment and Peace
Joy and Peace
Peace and Plenty
Blessings on Christmas Morning
Christmas Joy
A Christmas Wish
Blessing of the Advent Wreath
The Wexford Carol
Happy Christmas in Irish

Christmas Blessings from Ireland

I've created some printables for these lovely blessings which you are welcome to use.

Please save, print or share any of these blessings. You'll find a link beneath each blessing.

These are my Christmas gift to you, to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for stopping by to celebrate our Irish heritage together.

Celtic Script text with holly and berry border with faded Celtic designs in the background — May the Blessings of Christmas Be With You

May the Blessings of Christmas Be With You

"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."

Free printable blessing in multiple sizes.

Text on a graphic with a red and white border of snowflakes and Christmas trees — The Light of the Christmas Star To You

The Light of The Christmas Star to You

"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."

Free printable blessing.

Celtic script text on a green graphic with Celtic symbols, stars and a Christmas tree — May You Be Blessed By The Spirit Of The Season

The Spirit of the Season

"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."

Free printable blessing.

A Season of Peace and Love

These blessings focus on the joy and peace of the season.

Christmas is an important part of Ireland's cultural heritage. This love of Christmas shines through in these old words from the past.

Celtic knot border and text beside a candle with a flame and Celtic design — Peace and Plenty

Peace and Plenty

"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."

Free Printable Blessing Page

Green Christmas tree and orange snowflake border around green and orange text — All That Your Heart Desires for Christmas

Walls for the Wind

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."

Free printable blessing

Green and orange floral border around an oval text box — The Magic of Christmas

The Magic of Christmas

"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

Free printable blessing in multiple sizes

Light orange background with a Christmas Tree, green Celtic snowflakes and text — May You Never Forget What Is Worth Remembering

May You Never Forget

"May you never forget what is worth remembering,

Or remember what is best forgotten."

Free printable blessing.

Christmas nativity scene with an angel — Vintage Christmas Card

Image Credit

Virgin and Child

"May the Virgin and her Child

lift your latch on Christmas night."

Green and orange foliage in a border around green and orange text — Irish Christmas Blessing

Contentment and Peace

"May you be as contented

as Christmas finds you,

All the year round."

Free printable blessing.

A Victorian boy in green knocking on a door — Victorian Christmas Card

Joy and Peace

"May joy and peace surround you,

Contentment latch your door,

And happiness be with you,

And bless you evermore."

Green Christmas tree with Celtic knot snowflakes with Celtic script text — May Peace and Plenty Be Yours

Peace and Plenty

"May peace and plenty be yours,

For many a Christmas to come."

Blessings on Christmas Morning

Here's another one that should bring a smile to your face on Christmas morning.

“ Bless the bowl,

bless Irish land

and bless God

this wonderful Christmas morning.

As the sun rises gold,

Over the Emerald Isle.

May your oat’s hot steam,

Nourish your Irish smile.

And may you be thankful,

to Him who fills your bowl,

warms your heart,

and soothes your soul.”

Christmas Joy

May the good saints protect you

and bless you today.

And may trouble ignore you

each step of the way.

Christmas joy to you!

A Christmas Wish

"May your corn stand high as yourself,

your fields grow bigger with rain,

and the mare know its own way home

on Christmas night!"

Text graphic with Celtic scrolls and garlands

Blessing of the Advent Wreath

"Father, all powerful Lord of Light, bless our wreath with its candles. May our Advent be a time of preparation. Help us reflect on the power of light to dispel darkness in our world and in our lives. Touch our hearts with the warmth of your love.

- From the Veritas Book of Blessing Prayers

Text graphic with Celtic scrolls and Christmas decor

The Wexford Carol

This carol dates back to around the 15th century, and was originally written in the Irish language. It tells the story of the nativity. Here's the first verse of this beloved Christmas carol in English.

“Good people all, this Christmas time,

Consider well and bear in mind

What our good God for us has done,

In sending His beloved Son.

With Mary holy we should pray,

To God with love this Christmas Day

In Bethlehem upon that morn,

There was a blessed Messiah born.”

Happy Christmas in Irish

And so, let me draw this post to a close by wishing you all good luck, the peace of God and and joy this holiday season. Wishing you all a very merry Christmas.

In the Irish language we say:

Nollaig shona duit.

Phonetic Pronunciation: Null-ig hun-ah dh-itch.

Meaning: Happy Christmas (addressed to one person)

When there is more than one person being addressed we say:

Nollaig shona daoibh.

Phonetic pronunciation: Null-ig hun-ah jeeve.

And finally, here's another wish for peace and prosperity at Christmas time.

Nollaig faoi shéan is faoi shonas duit.

Pronunciation: Null-ig fwee hay-on iss fwee hun-us gwitch.

(A prosperous and happy Christmas to you.)

Wishing everyone a very happy and peaceful Christmas.