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Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Blessings For Christmas Eve



Blessings For Christmas Eve, In The 'Anderson' Pontifical
Ink and pigments on vellum
c.1000
29.7 x 24.3 cm
MS 57337 f.103r
The British Library, London


This Anglo Saxon Pontifical is now in The British Library

The title in red capital letters at the top of the page identify this as a prayer of blessing delivered by the bishop on the vigil of the nativity (Christmas Eve).

The blessing itself begins with the large green first letter of 'Om[ni]p[oten]s D[eu]s' ('Almighty God...'), one of several conventional openings for blessings.

It is written as a series of prayers calling for light and joy in the world, with responses of 'Amen' (in red) to each.


I shall be away and unable to blog until probably 5th January 2010

May you have a Happy Christmas and Good New Year

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