A SEASON OF LIGHT January 6 thru February 17 When we watch our favorite films or listen to our well-worn albums over and over again, we often pick up something different, something new, something resonant. A familiar line hits us with new power. An old scene feels as if it’s cracking with life even though we’ve seen it a dozen times. The seasons of the church are like that. Each season carries familiar stories and themes that intersect our lives like a spiral. But like our favorite films or music, each experience of a well-worn story has a mixture of familiarity and novelty. Our lives are different now than when we last considered them. This intersection of the familiar with our present unknown is the space where God’s Spirit is at work in our lives: speaking to us, guiding us and nurturing us. Epiphany means “manifestation”. It is a season where we consider the life of Jesus and ask, “what is God revealing to me through the miracles, the parables, the healings, the conversations, the debates, the rebukes, and the invitations of Jesus?” The work of spiritual formation during Epiphany is to build a bridge between Jesus’ life and our lives through paying attention. There are three key stories for the season of Epiphany: the story of the Magi visiting Jesus as a child, the story of Jesus being baptized, and the story of Jesus’ first miracle turning water into wine. “How might God be shining light on our stories through the life of Jesus?” Focal Practice: HOSPITALITY One of the key stories of Epiphany is the moment when Magi (wise people) from the East visit Jesus as a child, brining him gifts (Matthew 2:12). This season is a time to focus on how we can give the gift of presence to others and welcome their presence into our lives. As a symbol of this story and our commitment to open our hearts and lives to others, the Church has encouraged the observance of a ceremony called “Chalking the Door”. This is a rich and vivid way to bless our homes and refocus our hearts on our important calling to take the light of Christ beyond our home into our world. At the same time, we mark out our home as a place for hospitality and rest. The chalk markings serve as a reminder as we come in and go out that to follow Jesus is to offer the gift of our lives to others and to make space in our life for the gifts of others. It is true that the practice of hospitality is strained because of the pandemic. But this is an opportunity to practice one of our core values as a church: creativity. Creativity finds solutions when obstacles prevent us from attempting proven methods. Since offering our gifts and presence in love is a theme of Epiphany perhaps you can consider creatively offering simple gifts that transcend the boundaries of the pandemic and create connection. It might look like dropping off your favorite ingredients for a cookie or cocktail and then finding a time to share them via your digital platform of choice. It might look like writing a letter, naming the light you see in a neighbor. It might look like engaging the “others” or “enemies” of your life with a renewed sense of curiosity and goodwill, whether it’s on social media or messaging. What if we fasted from cruel words that push out rather than welcome in? We are excited to hear of ways you imagine gift giving and connection in this moment! Seasonal Ritual: CHALKING THE DOOR Chalking the door is an Epiphany tradition of blessing with allusions to the Exodus story where the Israelites mark their door posts as a sign of covenant belonging and protection from evil. It is also a sign of inclusion, acknowledging that one of the best ways to resist evil is through mercy, love and hospitality. The blessing involves “chalking” the doorframe of your home with the numbers of the year separated by the initials, CMB. The letters traditionally refer to the legendary names of the three Magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. Another tradition refers to it as the abbreviation of the Latin phrase, Christus Mansionem Benedicat, which means “May Christ bless this house.” To chalk the door for Epiphany, one would write in chalk on the outside doorframe: 21 + C + M + B + 21 Feel free to adapt this practice as you see fit, but see below a suggestion for how to incorporate prayer and scripture readings into the practice of chalking the door! May God bless our homes and imaginations with the generous and curious qualities of the Magi and the welcoming posture of the Holy Family. Let us focus on the simple truth that loving one another is the most tangible way to “manifest” the light of God into the world. After singing a joyful hymn, such as “O Come, All Ye Faithful” the leader begins: LEADER: Peace be with this house and with all who live here. Blessed be God forever. ALL: Blessed be God forever! LEADER: Today we gather in this holy place to recognize that Christ dwells here. As the Three Kings followed the light of the star, we too follow the light of Christ to be a place of welcome, a people of generosity, and a dwelling place for God. The home is where we first learn to pray and search for Christ, to forgive and receive forgiveness, to offer our gifts, and to bless each other. Let us then ask God to open our hearts so that, as the doors of this home are opened to neighbor and traveler, this family may be a source of welcome for all in need and a place where Christ is found. As the words of the Gospel of John are proclaimed, let us consecrate this door and the home it protects, and all the doors herein to Christ who is the sheep. Let the front door be the threshold that leads both ways to the blessings and goodness of God. As the Scripture below is proclaimed, the oldest and the youngest persons of the household may take turns using chalk to inscribe “21 + C + M + B + 21” on the outside lintel of the front door. A reader may slowly read the following text of sacred Scripture from the family Bible as the inscription is written over the door – John 1:13-14. READER: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. The gospel of the Lord. ALL: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. (inscribe 2) (inscribe 1) (inscribe +) (inscribe C) (inscribe +) (inscribe M) (inscribe +) (inscribe B) (inscribe +) (inscribe 2) (inscribe 1) Reader: And behold, the star 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 bowed very low to show honor and respect. Those gathered each receive a lit candle and follow into the main gathering space of the home. Before chalking all of the doorways, the leader begins the litany (responsive prayer) and all join in its response as people chalk their interior doorways. Leader: As this household has been given the light of Christ let us pray that this home shines radiantly with the love of God to be a shelter of peace for all who visit and dwell in it as we sign all of our doorways. Our response is: Make us your dwelling place, Lord. Make us your dwelling place, Lord. With Mary, and Joseph: Make us your dwelling place, Lord. With Anne and Joachim With Elizabeth and Zechariah With Anna and Simeon: Make us your dwelling place, Lord. With the shepherds and the kings With all the angels and saints With all holy men and women: All: Make us your dwelling place, Lord. Leader: For the sick and the hungry For the homeless and the lonely For friend and stranger: All: Make us your dwelling place, Lord. Leader: For neighbor and traveler In our hopes and dreams In our faults and failings: All: Make us your dwelling place, Lord. Leader: In times of joy and peace In times of sadness and grief: All: Make us your dwelling place, Lord. Leader: When anger and fear confuse us When pride and pain confound us: All: Make us your dwelling place, Lord. Leader: When the plans we make must change When you call us home by a different way In all things, great and small: The leader continues. Leader: Christ taught us to call upon the Father, and so we pray: All: Our Father... Those gathered may then place a hand on the shoulder of the person near them as the leader says the following prayer. Leader: Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation, for through your goodness you have given us shelter from the cold and the light of your Word to brighten the darkness of night. We come to you bearing no gifts, for everything we have is a gift from you. All we can offer is our love for each other and our faith in your Son.