and the fields. There were spirits for all kinds of animals. But there was not aclear deity whose sole function was to care for and protect humans.They could not turn to a single deity as their chief intercessor, so they had tooffer prayers and sacrifices to every deity in every place. This kind of worldcould seem precarious and even terrifying at times. Potential evil forces couldcrush them or trick them or lead them into confusion at any time.The ancient Celt also faced the threat of warring tribes. These tribal people werenotorious for fighting amongst themselves. In fact, this is one of their greatweaknesses that often led to their defeat. When they could get along, theyterrorized their foes. Unfortunately, they usually ended up fighting one anotherinstead of their enemy.After observing the ancient Celts in battle, Caesar realized their great power, buthe also saw first-hand their lack of discipline to stay united. And he used thisweakness as a means to eventually crush them and drive them away from Rome.
So the ancient Celt faced the threat of untamed spirits as well as warring betweentribes. Imagine the hope that Christianity brought to them. They discover there isone Creator to whom they must answer. They discover this Creator is one God(completely united) in three persons (a loving community).This vision of God brings hope into our midst. If the Creator of all things sustainsall things with His loving presence, then we can find hope even in the midst ofgreat dangers.Imagine the ancient Celt wandering through a dark forest. When the fear of theshadows begins to overwhelm her, she stops walking, takes her walking stickand cuts a sunwise (clockwise) circle into the ground around himself. Asshe cutsthe circle, she prays:
Today I gird myself with a mighty power,Invocation of the Trinity.Belief in the threeness, affirmation of the oneness.In the Creator’s presence.
2
For a brief overview of the fierce Celtic tribal culture that was eventually defeated by Rome, see GerhardHerm, The Celts, New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1975.
The Presence of God, 2
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