Blessing our homes at Eiphany (a little later than usual)

The feast of the Epiphany occurs on the 6th of January after the 12 days of Christmas and usually a blessing of homes is part of the service on that day.

At HHO we have been celebrating the custom of home blessing at Epiphany for a few years now, and to wrap up our sabbath month we will observe this tradition at weekly worship on the 26th of January, the 3rd Week after the Epiphany. 

Worshippers will be invited to join from their homes 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 + 25 

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.”