Bagels, Beer and Irish Blessings

It's St. Patrick's Day and naturally our thoughts turn to the Emerald Isle.  I'm told that we make a much bigger deal of the good saint's feast day here in America than they do in Ireland.  Perhaps that is always the way it is with those who are far from home!

Whatever the case, most folks will celebrate with corned beef and cabbage, or soda bread, or perhaps, in one of the most American of twists, with green bagels.  (Go figure!)  And, of course, lots and lots of beer--some green, some Guinness, and some whatever's on sale!

But perhaps the best way to celebrate is offer up words of blessing.  For, after all, Patrick was a missionary and a teacher of the faith.  And his work, his many efforts, brought a real blessing to his adopted homeland (he was British, you may remember, and originally brought to Ireland as a victim of a kidnapping).

Most folks know the so-called Irish Blessing: 

May the road rise before you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rain fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of God's hand. 

It's lovely.  I sang it to my congregation at all three services yesterday.  But it is far from the only Irish blessing.  Indeed, Esther de Waal, has collected dozens and dozens of such blessings in a delightful volume called The Celtic Vision.  There are blessings for boats, and hearths and children and cows!  One of my favorites goes this way:

The blessing of God and the Lord be yours,
The blessing of the perfect Spirit be yours,
The blessing of the Three be pouring for you
Mildly and generously,
Mildly and generously.