You thought the holidays were over. Technically, no —
not until Jan. 6, when Christians all over the world celebrate Epiphany. This feast day
is known as “Three Kings Day” after the wise men, or Magi, who,
the Bible says, brought the infant gifts and proclaimed him the Son of God. In
other places, the day is known for giving gifts, for extremely cold baths and a
tradition known as “blessing your home with chalk.” Let me explain.
This Epiphany
Sunday, 50 brave souls came to church in minus 3 below zero weather and learned
an ancient custom. I encouraged families to ask God’s blessing on their home and on
those who live in or visit the home. It is an invitation for Jesus to be a daily
guest in your home, your comings and goings, your conversations, your work and
play, your joys and sorrows.
The traditional
way of doing this is to use chalk to write above your home’s entrance, 20 + C + M + B + 18.
The letters C, M, B have two meanings. They are the initials of the traditional
names of the three magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. They also abbreviate
the Latin words Christus mansionem
benedicat, “May
Christ bless the house.” The “+” signs represent the cross and 2018 is the year.
“Chalking
the door” is a way to celebrate and literally mark the occasion of the Epiphany
and God’s blessing of our lives and home. With time the chalk will fade. As it
does we let the meaning of the symbols written sink into the depths of our
heart and be manifest in our words and actions the Latin words, Christus mansionem benedictat, “May Christ bless our house.”
So, after the
Bills game, find you self a piece of chalk and look for an entrance, preferably
indoors, not outside, on your porch or a kitchen entrance and offer this blessing
Using the
blessed chalk, you mark the lintel of your entrance as follows:
20 + C + M + B +
18 while saying:
The three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior,
and Balthazar followed the star of God’s Son who became human two
thousand and eighteen years ago. May Christ bless our home and remain with us
throughout the new year. Amen.
Then offer this prayer: “Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of your presence. Bless all who live or visit here with the gift of your love; and grant that we may manifest your love to each other and to all whose lives we touch. May we grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen us in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen.”
Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who “chalking their door” as a way to celebrate the Epiphany and God’s blessing on our lives and home. With time the chalk will fade. As it does we let the meaning of the symbols written sink into the depths of our heart and be manifest in our words and actions the Latin words, Christus mansionem benedictat, “May Christ bless the house.”
Then offer this prayer: “Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of your presence. Bless all who live or visit here with the gift of your love; and grant that we may manifest your love to each other and to all whose lives we touch. May we grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen us in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen.”
Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who “chalking their door” as a way to celebrate the Epiphany and God’s blessing on our lives and home. With time the chalk will fade. As it does we let the meaning of the symbols written sink into the depths of our heart and be manifest in our words and actions the Latin words, Christus mansionem benedictat, “May Christ bless the house.”
