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Epiphany Home Blessing and Meditations

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Epiphany Home Blessing and Meditations E P I P H A N Y H O M E B L E S S I N G A N D M E D I T A T I O N S 2 0 2 1 S T . J O H N E P I S C O P A L C H U R C H Y O R K , P A Created by Lisa Work E P I P H A N Y H O M E B L E S S I N G Epiphany (also known as Twelfth Night, Theophany, or Three Kings Day) marks the occasion of a time-honored Christian tradition “chalking the doors.” After Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, the Holy Family was visited by three Magi from the east. They came to worship Christ and bring him gifts of gold, frankincense, and W H E R E I S T H E myrrh. The Feast of Epiphany is celebrated on the N E W B O R N 12th Day of Christmas, January 6th. Sometimes K I N G O F T H E the Feast of Epiphany is called "Three Kings J E W S ? W E Day." S A W H I S S T A R A T I T S R I S I N G A N D H A V E Epiphany is an invitation to follow stars, listen to C O M E T O D O dreams, and step out of what we have always H I M H O M A G E . " known. M A T T H E W 2 : 2 The Gospel of Matthew tells us this is the day the magi (“kings”) arrived in Bethlehem, directed by angels and guided by a star, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus. Gold symbolized Jesus as a king. Frankincense and myrrh are sweet-smelling resins that were burned as sacred offerings and during burials. The magi go home by another road. Little else is known about them, although a robust tradition has grown around them over time, including their number (three) and their names (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar). This holy mystery invites us to wonder who the magi are and how their sacred story intersects with our own. Who or what is leading you to God? Which stars will you follow this year and what road will you take? What gifts will you offer? The chalking of the doors is a centuries-old practice throughout the world, though it appears to be somewhat less well-known in the United States. It is, however, an easy tradition to adopt, and a great practice whereby we dedicate our year to God from its very outset, asking His blessing on our homes and on all who live, work, or visit them there. “Chalking the door” is a way to celebrate and physically 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 written symbols sink into the depths of our hearts and be manifest in our words and actions. On Epiphany, it is traditional for families to bless “Bless this house and all who their homes, remembering the hospitality of the inhabit it. Fill us with the light of Holy Family to the Wise Men and asking for Christ, that our concern for protection and blessing on the home and all who others may reflect your love.” enter. The home blessing is done by writing on the door or door frame with chalk the symbols 20+C+M+B+21 The 20 and 21 represent the current year. The + reminds us of the cross on which our Savior died. The C, M, and B s actually an abbreviation for the Latin phrase. “Christus mansionem benedicat” which means “Christ bless this house.” Some people interpret the C, M, and B as the traditional names of the Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. Writing on the door also brings to mind the Passover of the Jews during the final plague in Exodus, when the blood of the lamb protected the inhabitants within. Pray Together Make the Sign of the Cross Read Isaiah 60:1-6 (found on the next page) V. God shall watch over your going out and your coming in. R. From this time forth for evermore. Let us pray. O God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Light of the nations and the Glory of your people, bless all who dwell in this house. May it be for them a place of peace and health, that we may rejoice in the gifts and graces you have bestowed upon us. Fill us with the light of Christ, that our concern for others may reflect your love. Amen Chalk the door or door frame with 20 + C + M + B + 21 Pray this prayer: Gracious God, you sent your son, Jesus, to become like us, so that we might become like him. Let us now pray that Jesus will enter our home and bless it with his presence. May he always be here among us; may he nurture our love for each other, share in our joys, and comfort us in our sorrows. Inspired by his teachings and example, let us make our home a dwelling place of love, which spreads far and wide the goodness of Christ. It is in his name that we pray. Amen. Sing (or listen to) one of the Epiphany songs (found on the next page). Make the Sign of the Cross Isaiah 60:1-6 60 Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. 2 For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. 3 Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. 4 Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms. 5 Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice,[a] because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. 6 A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord. Songs for Epiphany O Come All Ye Faithful 1 O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem. Come and behold him, born the King of angels. Refrain: O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, Christ, the Lord. 2 True God of true God, Light of light eternal, our lowly nature he hath not abhorred; born of a woman, here in flesh appearing. [Refrain] 3 Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above: “Glory to God, all glory in the highest!” [Refrain] 4 Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning, Jesus, to thee be all glory giv’n; Word of the Father, begotten, not created. [Refrain] God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen 1 God rest you merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay, remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas day, to save us all from Satan's pow'r when we were gone astray; Refrain: O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy. 2 From God our heav'nly Father, a blessed angel came; and unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same: how that in Bethlehem was born the son of God by name, [Refrain] 3 "Fear not, then," said the angel, "let nothing you affright; this day is born a Savior of a pure virgin bright, to free all those who trust in him from Satan's pow'r and might." [Refrain] 4 The shepherds at those tidings rejoiced much in mind, and left their flocks a-feeding, in tempest, storm, and wind, and went to Bethlehem straightway, the Son of God to find. [Refrain] Epiphany - January 6 Collect 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. Matthew 2:1-12 The Visit of the Wise Men In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: `And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'" Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared.
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