Why do some people say ‘God bless you’ when someone sneezes?

There are varying accounts as to the origin of this response. One belief is that it originated in Rome when the bubonic plague was raging through Europe. One of the symptoms of the plague was coughing and sneezing, and it is believed that Pope Gregory I suggested saying “God bless you” after a person sneezed in hopes that this prayer would protect them from an otherwise certain death.

I don’t think saying ‘God bless you’ was likely to protect anyone from the bubonic plague any more than saying it now would protect us from the Covid19 virus. However I think that there’s more to learn about blessing someone.

'Blessing is the projection of good into the life of another. It isn't just words. It's the actual putting forth of your will for the good of another person. It always involves God, because when you will the good of another person, you realize only God is capable of bringing that.' (Dallas Willard)

I took the photo of an embroidered wall hanging when visiting Israel last year.

The words on it is the blessing Moses instructed his brother, Aaron, to place on the people of Israel in the Bible in the book of Numbers chapter 6:24–26.

The Lord bless (bestow some kind of goodness or benefit on) you

And keep  (guard, protect or watch over) you

Make His face shine upon you (smile at you)

And be gracious (show favour) to you;

The Lord turn His face toward you (give full and complete attention to)

And give you peace (Shalom peace that includes health, safety, prosperity and emotional wholeness)

Just recently a song called “The Blessing”, based on the Aaronic Blessing and written by Cody Carnes and Kari Jobe, has been recorded by groups of Christians in various countries all over the World.

People from over 65 churches in the United Kingdom got together to sing this song as a blessing over the UK.The UK version went viral and is now approaching 3 million views on YouTube.

The Prime Minister even awarded the organiser, Tim Hughes his daily 'Points of Light' Award - a prize  to recognise individuals who have had a positive impact on society.

Here are the lyrics...

The Lord bless you and keep you, make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. Amen.

May His favor be upon you and a thousand generations and your family and your children and their children.

May His presence go before you and behind you and beside you, all around you and within you.

He is with you in the morning, in the evening, in your coming and your going, in your weeping and rejoicing. He is for you.

A pretty amazing blessing to be sung over us and our children and our grandchildren....!