Northumbria Community New Year Liturgy

Part of the New Year Liturgy from the Northumbria Community 'Celtic Daily Prayer' (c) HarperCollins:

The Opening Door

This is to be used as a ‘first-footing’ prayer. In Scotland, and the northern parts of England, New Year is given much importance: folk go from house to house wishing each other a good year ahead, and celebrate their good wishes with food and plenty of drink. It is often seen as important who should be the first to cross the threshold and ‘bring in the year’ once midnight has passed. This song (spoken or sung) asks Christ Himself to come and ‘first-foot’ for us. The door is opened to welcome Him in and invite His blessing, whether He comes in silence or in the company of other guests.

This day is a new day

that has never been before.

This year is a new year,

the opening door.

Opening of door

Enter, Lord Christ –

we have joy in Your coming.

You have given us life;

and we welcome Your coming.

I turn now to face You,

I lift up my eyes.

Be blessing my face, Lord;

be blessing my eyes.

May all my eye looks on

be blessed and be bright,

my neighbours, my loved ones

be blessed in Your sight.

You have given us life

and we welcome Your coming.

Be with us, Lord,

we have joy, we have joy.

This year is a new year,

the opening door.

Be with us, Lord,

we have joy, we have joy.

Desert Island Celtic books!

If you were marooned on a desert island and were only allowed to take one Celtic book, plus your Bible, which one would it be?

You'll see my selection, though I cheated and had two in my previous blog! But if I had to chose just one, it would be Celtic Daily Prayer by the Northumbria Community because it is so rich and varied and would sustain me for years.

Quaker Abbey chose Celtic Daily Prayer, but I like Pastor Chris Monroe's response here:

"That's easy to answer! It's the one that's held together with duct tape because I take it everywhere Celtic Daily Prayer. You can see my interview with Pastor Chris on Celtic Christianity by visiting his DesertFather blog.

Keltic Ken chose my book! Here's his response:

"Celtic Treasure - It points me to Christ, features scripture and original prose...and, the lovely photographs will be a welcome change from the same old scenery on that desert island!!!"