Happy Epiphany! Let's chalk some doors!

Happy Epiphany!

Epiphany is the feast of the church that marks both the end of the 12 days of Christmas, and the coming of the Magi to honor the Christ Child.

Traditionally, it is also a time when faithful Christians would bless their dwellings, by writing with chalk on the doorway. This symbolic act recognizes the Magi visiting the home of Mary and Joseph to worship the Baby Jesus, and invites the Christ Child to dwell in our homes throughout the year.

Writing 20+C+M+B+21 on the lintel stands for both the Western traditional names of the Wise Men (Caspar, Melchior, Balthazar) and for the Latin phrase "Christus Mansionem Benedicat" which means, "May Christ bless this house."

Want to do your own house blessing?

Here's how!

Locate some chalk (any kind! Any color! Don't use a whiteboard marker!)
Gather the inhabitants of the home around the front door.
A short liturgy is below:

Leader: The Lord be with you
All: And also with you
Leader: Let us pray:
O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

An Epiphany gospel (Matthew 2:1-12 or John 1:1-14) may be read.

Take the chalk and mark on the lintel of your front door:

20 + C + M + B + 21

saying:

The three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, followed the star of God’s Son who became human, two thousand and twenty-one years ago. May Christ bless our home and remain with us throughout the new year. Amen.

Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of your presence. May all who come to our home this year rejoice to find Christ living among us; and may we seek and serve, in everyone we meet, that same Jesus who is your incarnate Word. May we grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you. Guide, comfort, and strengthen us; and preserve us in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and for ever. Amen.