Blessing homes at Epiphany

The feast of the Epiphany occurs on the 6th of January after the 12 days of Christmas.

At HHO we have been celebrating the custom of home blessing at Epiphany for a few years now, and in the coming weeks there will be an opportunity to bless a different part of the home at weekly worship beginning on the 7th of January. 

Week 1: The Entrance

Week 2: Kitchen & dining room/area

Week 3: Living room & Study/Library & Workroom/workshop

Week 4: Bathroom

Week 5: Bedroom & Guest room

Week 6: Garden/outdoor area & Sacred/prayer space

Worshippers will be invited to join from these spaces or to hold them in their minds for this part of the liturgy.

Chalking the Doors

This year an invitation to mark a blessing comes in the form of chalking our front doors (or somewhere reachable) at the entry to our dwellings.

The following can be marked at the entryway of our homes:

20 + C + M + B + 24 

The first and last numbers simply refer to the current year.

The letters C M B come from the traditional names for the three kings: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, who visited Jesus as a child, bringing the famous three gifts of gold, frankincense and mhir.

Some also suggest “Christus Mansionem Benedicat” which means, “May Christ bless this dwelling!”

These words can be said:

“Bless this house and all who inhabit it. Fill us with the light of Christ,
that our concern for others may reflect your love.”

A longer liturgy for chalking the door can be downloaded below.