Remarkable video, "Blessing Australia." Australians bless their land. ---this video can make your day

[mdgspencer]

 

[ReaderT]

Interesting video! This is a different tradition than my own. Could you explain what it means that they “declare a blessing over Australia”? → What does that “do” in other words - what change does that bring about?

Sorry if I’m not stating my question clearly - in my Church we bless land and water also, but it’s a formal ritual, and afterwards the blessed objects are treated differently. Thanks in advance!

 

[Bithynian]

This is a different tradition than my own

The video is primarily Protestants, mainly of the evangelical and charismatic variety. Although a few Catholic parishes and the Dioceses of Wollongong and Townsville did participate. Nonetheless, I don’t think this is a distinct Protestant or Catholic tradition. It’s more-or-less a sung ecumenical prayer based on the Priestly Blessing in Numbers 6.

I’m Australian and I’m not particularly enthusiastic about the video as it tends to emphasise some of the problems with Christianity in this country. But I won’t censor others for wanting to enjoy the music.

 

[Edmundus1581]

It’s more-or-less a sung ecumenical prayer based on the Priestly Blessing in Numbers 6.

I thought it was the traditional Irish blessing, but I guess that goes back to Numbers. Thanks!

AFAIK it’s been widely used as a blessing by laity for centuries. I guess that priests can join laity when it’s done as a communal blessing.

The performance here suggests a communal prayer for blessing as well as imparting a blessing.

I’m Australian and I’m not particularly enthusiastic about the video as it tends to emphasise some of the problems with Christianity in this country. But I won’t censor others for wanting to enjoy the music.

Same here. I enjoyed it as a Catholic, and as an Australia. And it did give me a lift, as intended by the OP.

Nice scenery too!

 

[FiveLinden]

Is the reference to ‘a thousand generations’ biblical? I was surprised to see evangelicals expecting the second coming to wait that long. Or was it a reference to indigenous settlement?

 

[Edmundus1581]

I didn’t notice it. At guess, I’d say it’s referring to indigenous settlement, but I’d have to check.

Got a time stamp?

 

[FiveLinden]

3:47 is one. There are others.

 

[Edmundus1581]

3:47 is one. There are others.

Thanks. I’m pretty sure it’s meant to be a blessing on a future “thousand generations” of Australians.

That’s not specifically in the blessing from Numbers 6:24-26, but a quick search finds the thought elsewhere.

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

(thanks google!)

And, yes, the time for “a thousand generations” would seem to be at odds with Evangelical eschatalogy, and even Catholic expectations, if not explicit theology.

It’s an old testament sentiment. And, strictly speaking, I’d say it’s out of place here, but it’s only a line in a song, intended to be understood very freely. Good point though!

It’s (perhaps) interesting that in the Magnificat Mary says “All generations will call me blessed”. Perhaps there is a deliberate shifting of time scales from the “Thousand generations” of the old testament?