EPIPHANY BLESSING

Epiphany - also known as Three Kings' Day - is a Christian festival, which starts on 6 January. It is a special date in the Christmas story as it's when people celebrate how a star led the Magi - also known as the Three kings or the Wise Men - to visit the baby Jesus after he had been born.  - Wikipedia 


The Epiphany of the Lord


One tradition celebrated by many families:

Using chalk, write "20+C+M+B+22" on the outside of your house or inside above the front main entrance, above or next to an entrance. Details below:

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EPIPHANY BLESSING




20 + C + M + B + 22




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 “+” represent the cross and 2021 is the year.




All make the Sign of the Cross.




Leader: Peace be to this house and to all who dwell here, in the name of the Lord.




All: Thanks be to God.




Reader:

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.




The word of the Lord.




All: Thanks be to God




Using chalk, write on the outside of your house or inside above the front main entrance, above or next to an entrance:




20 + C + M + B + 22




All: Lord God of heaven and earth, you revealed your only begotten Son to every nation by the guidance of a star. Bless this house and all who live here and all who visit. May we be blessed with health, kindness of heart, gentleness and the keeping of your law. Fill us with the light of Christ, that our love for each other may go out to all. We ask this through Christ our Lord.



Amen.