What is a blessing?
Blessings - what are they and what is their
history?
A blessing (from to bless, Old English bleodsian or bletsian)
originally meant "sprinkling with blood" during the pagan sacrifices.
A
blessing, (also used to refer to bestowing of such) is the infusion of
something with holiness, divine will, or one's hopes. Within Roman Catholicism,
Eastern Orthodoxy, and similar traditions, formal blessings of the church are
performed by bishops, priests, and sometimes deacons, but as in many other
religions, anyone may formally bless another.
Thesaurus -
Blessing: asset, benediction, benefit, boon, bounty, break, favor, fortune,
gain, gift, godsend, good, good luck, help, kindness, lucky break, miracle,
profit, service, stroke, windfall
In the Bible, blessings and curses are
related; the book of Deuteronomy prescribes that obedience to the Torah brings
God's blessing, while disobedience brings a curse. A formula for priestly
blessing is set forth at Numbers 6:24-26:
The LORD bless thee,
and keep thee;
The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be
gracious unto thee;
The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and
give thee peace. (KJV)
This formula has been introduced into Christian
worship as well. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus pronounces blessings on the
poor, the humble, and the persecuted in the Beatitudes at the beginning of the
Sermon on the Mount.
To Bless
- To make holy by religious rite; sanctify.
- To make the sign of the cross over so as to sanctify.
- To invoke divine favor upon.
- To honor as holy; glorify: Bless the Lord.
- To confer well-being or prosperity on.
- To endow, as with talent.
Blessing
- The act of one that blesses.
- A short prayer said before or after a meal; grace.
- Something promoting or contributing to happiness,
well-being, or prosperity; a boon.
- Approbation; approval: This plan has my
blessing.
|
|
Receive a blessing cards
Please help us to spread the idea
of blessing others through random acts of kindness by passing on these cards.
Please download / print these cards and use them as a prompt to bless others
through your own thoughts and deeds. Pass on the cards and encourage others to
do something amazing today.
Download your cards.
Share your experiences
Have you just received a
blessing? Have you blessed another with a random act of kindness? Please
email us and tell us about your
expriences.
|
