Yesterday we thought about the Eucharist bread in Celtic Christian Theology via Celtic Lent. Today we consider the wine.

The Celts did not have a polite sip of the wine. The cup that was passed contained a round a bottle and a half of wine and, after the whole loaf of bread had been dunked in the wine each person took a good glue! These worshippers were really throwing themselves into the Jesus story and experiencing the events as fully as they were able through the liturgy and actions. Through the dining of the wine they were immersing themselves in the saving and victorious blood of Christ.

One tradition that I totally love was that after the wine had been drunk, the priest would then visit each worshiper and circle their head with the cup while saying a Caim, or circling prayer, such as:

Encircle me Lord
Keep harm without
Keep safety within

Encircle me Lord
Keep turmoil without
Keep peace within

Encircle me Lord,
Keep evil out of
Keep your peace within

Saying these prayers either alone or wit others have become, for me, a powerful way to start the day and remind myself throughout the day as I repeat them that, very consciously, I am walking on holy ground with the creator.