The MacDonald Crest
The motto of the ancient MacDonald clan is Per Mare, Per Terras – By sea, by land. The clan coat of arms shows a hand clinging to a cross. Some believe this motto means that we are to take the Cross of Christ to the lost, by sea or by land. This is what I see when I look at our crest.
Years ago, in the album Sons of Somerled, Steve McDonald performed the song above. It is a beautiful and haunting melody that seems to call McDonalds around the world to remember their ancient home in Scotland.
Today, I am working on the final sermon in our series on the Apostles’ Creed – reflecting on everlasting life. Part of this reflection is of course the truth of life eternal that we will enjoy with our Lord in Heaven, a life without tears, without turmoil, without division.
But we must not forget that eternal life is now as well. We are to live the abundant life of eternity now. The Kingdom is not just the “pie in the sky, bye and bye.” The Kingdom is now. Jesus said that His sheep hear His voice, and that He gives them eternal life.
And so, as I finish the sermon, I find myself asking: Am I living eternal life? Am I living abundant life? Am I walking in confidence that my Lord is with me and that He will never leave me nor forsake me? Am I holding to the truth that His Kingdom is now? Am I living the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control?
We don’t have to wait for the Kingdom to live out Christ in our day to day lives – by God’s Grace, we can live in victory today!
As you watch the video and reflect upon the breathtaking scenes of Scotland, imagine the beauty that awaits us in Heaven. And remember, we are called to live out the Gospel today – and to take it to the lost, by sea and by land. Today, we are to seek to live the Kingdom – and what a joy it is.
Per Mare, Per Terras!
There are some posts that you can tell that the writer is passionate about, and in those moments, if you know the person, you can hear them speaking as you read, hear the inflection and the excitement in their writing, hear their fire for the thought at hand. For you, this was one of those posts…
You have encouraged me, today it will be that much easier to “live eternal life”, and a thank you for that encouragement.
Deus Primus,
BFH
By: deusprimus on May 1, 2009
at 4:35 pm
Aye thar laddie! You share the same family crest as I. Originally, the MacDonald and MacConnell clans were one and the same, which ruled over 400 years in a kingdom called Dalriada, located in an area of western Scotland and the Isles. The coat of arms that shows the hand protected in the armor of a gauntlet and holding forth a cross supported by a crown was intended to show descent from the Dalriadic Prince Conal who reigned from 560 to 574 A.D., and under whose protection St. Columbia introduced Christianity into Scotland. The coat of arms speaks to me of the high calling of God in taking the Gospel to the nations, protected in the full armor of God, while pressing the crown rights of Christ.
In as much as I enjoy looking into my Scottish roots, and might I say am proud, the only good that any of my ancestors ever did, was done because of the grace of God working in them, and not because of any virtue in their Scottish heritage, as there is none in Adam, who is dead in his trespasses and sins. It all begins at the cross, where we die to the old man and live the victorious life of the new man in Christ, where human lineage has no advantage or glory (Ga. 3:26-29).
You are right, as beautiful as Scotland is, imagine the beauty that awaits us in Heaven. Thanks for the encouraging post.
By: Missouri Rev on May 2, 2009
at 4:02 pm
All I can say is agree with a hearty amen!
By: James McDonald on May 3, 2009
at 12:43 am
Oh give thanks onto the Lord for He is good!
I share the clan’s name and roots with you but more than that you are indeed my brothers in the Lord! I have the family tree going back to son of Conal in 500′s also. Our Father is one and the same! God bless you!
By: Illinois McConnell on June 30, 2009
at 11:02 pm
Hi. I saw your site and thought you would like to see what I am doing for our heritage
Andrew McDonald
Direct blodline of Somerled
By: Andrew McDonald on February 1, 2010
at 7:36 pm
Yes indeed! I’ve done some work on my side, but mostly this side of the pond. I’ve had a challenge getting data in Scotland.
By: James McDonald on February 2, 2010
at 4:47 pm
I found this by searching for MacDonald family crest. I was looking into my next tattoo and i wanted to do something about my herritage, but im a little confused on the MacDonald and McDonald. Is is all that same and i am both Irish and Scotish. Can you help me out?
Brianna MacDonald
Wausau, Wisconsin
By: Brianna MacDonald on May 4, 2010
at 10:56 pm
Hi Brianna – my great-grandfather dropped the “a” from our name for some reason. We are the Scottish brand of MacDonalds.
By: James McDonald on May 5, 2010
at 9:56 pm
My rather eccentric Grandmother many moons ago looked into our family history. I am very proud of the link to Clan (son of ) Donald.
In the olden days people would join clans for protection and the history of this clan is beautifully unique and too much to write here.
I went on a kind of personal; pilgrimage to Glencoe, the silent witnesses and the Celtic cross in the village.
I have to say, it is one of the most beautiful places on Earth and even in Scotland a country wild and rugged it stands out.
I am very proud of my heritage and also my family have always had the Personal shield and Crest of McDonald hanging somewhere.
Though born in London and the name has changed to include Jeffrey after the judge, it is with a sense of pride that I have that blood running through my veins.
I never did meet anyone nice called Campbell.
By: Kenneth Higgins on August 13, 2010
at 12:12 pm