Blessings

A polažajnik is the first person who visits the family on Christmas Day in Serbia. This visit may be fortuitous or pre-arranged. A polažajnik steps into the house with his right foot first, greeting the gathered family: "Christ is Born, Happy Christmas." He carries grain in his glove, which he shakes out before the threshold, or throws at the family members. They respond with, "Truly He is Born," and throw grain at the polažajnik. He then approaches the fireplace, takes a branch, and strikes repeatedly the burning badnjak to make sparks fly from it. At the same time he speaks these words (or similar):

How many sparks, that much happiness in this house.

How many sparks, that much money in the household head's pocket.

How many sparks, that many sheep in the sheepfold.

How many sparks, that many pigs and lambs.

How many sparks, that many geese and chickens,and most of all, health and joy.

Can you think of a similar blessings?