The Abbey stands on a steep hill surrounded by the River Avon. In the golden sunlight it sits, comfortable and still in this quiet leafy English town. Yet, despite its ease, the Abbey has endured many long winters and seen many battles. Clothed with shabby grandeur, the scarred building publicly displays its history.

Open most days of the year, it attracts many visitors as well as hosting countless services and activities. And, for the moment, it is the place where we join other Christians to worship God. Being a part of the abbey is an interesting learning experience for us, and one that often prompts me to research different aspects of the Anglican tradition.

Each service generally finishes with a blessing, which made me ask, ‘Why, do we do that?’  The question sent me to the Old Testament, to the well-known blessing or benediction which the Lord spoke to Moses who shared it with Aaron.

Members of the clergy here sometimes speak of the blessing as a ‘benediction,’ which leaves me wondering what that word means exactly. The dictionary definition says, ‘to speak well of.’  My thoughts meander towards Genesis where God spoke well of his creation; it was good, and he delighted in it. Then I remembered the Old Testament fathers who, before dying, blessed their children, hopeful that they would live well and prosper, although such fathers usually endowed their children with the ability to fulfil that blessing.

But this isn’t only a parent’s heart for their children, but a reflection of God’s greater heart for us. He delights in us and promises to be with us all the days of our life. Included in his blessing lie the means for us to flourish and live well.

What an amazing gift, as vital in today’s world as it was in the beginning. Each one of us needs to know that we are worthy and that God delights in us. When we cry out to him, he comes speaking his love for us with such affirming assurance that we know we are accepted.

His face shines on us, I imagine that is the moment we realise God stands, turned towards us, drawing us close to reveal his presence and his joy. Attentive to his word, we realise the truth: we are beloved. His eye is on us and, if we allow him to guide us, a conversation begins which grows a deepening relationship with him. That blessing changes my life.

God has named me, and I carry his name in my heart. No longer alone, I have been adopted into his family and gifted with a new growing identity. I have security and intimacy with Jesus which, even when I sin, remains constant. The constancy of his loves increases my desire to grow in loving him.

Perhaps that’s why services conclude with a blessing just like Aaron concluded services in the tabernacle with the Israelites. We walk out of the church door, knowing we are valued, loved, and belong to Christ. And perhaps he desires that we pass the blessing we have received on to others, pointing them to the one true source of all blessing.

‘…the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.’

© copyright Gillian Newham 2025