Happy New Year! It was so wonderful being back together this week. As we end the 12 Days of Christmas, each classroom watched an explanation video created by Fr. Mersmann and blessed their classroom with the blessing below. I have added the blessing so families can bless their homes as well. My hope for everyone is that our hearts and homes are filled with peace in the year 2021.
The Epiphany House Blessing Celebrated on the Feast of the Epiphany, (January 3, 2021), it is a tradition of using chalk to write above the home’s entrance asking for God’s blessing on the home/room and those who dwell in or visit the home/room.
As the family gathers together in prayer, it is an invitation for Jesus to be a daily guest in our lives and our home/room. Mark your front doorway (use chalk) for Jesus 20 + C + M + B + 21
Suggested format for the Blessing
Opening:
All: Make the Sign of the Cross
Leader: Let us praise God, who fills our hearts and homes with peace.
All: Blessed be God forever.
Reading:
Leader: A reading from Matthew Chapter 2, 1-12
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.”
When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.
They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet:
‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”
Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance.
He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and 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.
House/Room Blessing:
Leader: (using the chalk, write above the door) 20+ C + M + B + 21 saying "May Christ bless this house/room."
The numbers represent the New Year.
C M B stands for "Christus Mansionem Benedicat" latin for "May Christ bless this house"
C M B also stands for the traditional names of the Magi: Caspar, Melchior, & Balthasar
The "+" signs represent the cross, and the four seasons of the year for blessings over all the earth in every cardinal direction.
Acclamation: (from Psalm 24)
Leader: Lift up your heads, O gates!
All: That the King of Glory may enter.
Leader: Who is the King of Glory?
All The Lord of hosts. He is the King of Glory.
Concluding Prayer:
Leader: Let us pray.
During these days of the Christmas season, we keep this feast of the Epiphany. Through the guidance of a star, the coming of Jesus was made known to the Gentiles. We celebrate Christ made known to the Magi, to John in the River Jordan, and to the disciples at the wedding at Cana. Today, Christ is made known to us. Today this home is a holy place.
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 inhabit it. May we be blessed with health, goodness of heart, humility, kindness, 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.
All: Amen
