Epiphany House Blessing (chalking the door)

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 and those who dwell in or visit the home.
 
As the family gathers together in prayer, it is an invitation for Jesus to be a daily guest in our lives and home.

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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

READING:
Leader: 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.
Leader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.

House Blessing:
Leader: (using chalk blessed at the Mass, write on the outside of your house or inside above the front main entrance or next to an entrance):

 21+C + M + B + 21

saying: May Christ bless this house.

• 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; 2021 is the year.
  

Concluding Prayer: 
Leader: Asking for God's blessing we pray:
All: Our Father,

who art in heaven,

hallowed be Thy name,

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

Amen. 

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.