A Celtic New Year's Prayer: The Opening Door
This day is a new day That has never been before. This year is a new year, The opening 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 the blessed and be bright, My neighbors, 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.
-Taken from: Celtic Daily Prayer: Prayers and Readings from the Northumbria Community
In Scotland and Northern England, people celebrate the new year by going from house to house, wishing one another a good year, along with much food and drink. There is often a lot of importance placed on who will be the first to enter a house and "bring in the year" together.
Christians in that region sing the song above as a way of inviting Christ to enter their house and to enter the new year with them. As we enter this new year of 2025, it's a fitting prayer as we think about what kind of year we each want to have. No matter your goals, resolutions, or lack of resolutions, I hope you see Christ's presence in 2025.