In recent years we have blessed chalk at church, and taken it home to create an Epiphany blessing at door.
- to ask God’s blessing on our home and on those who live in or visit the home.
- an invitation for Jesus to be a daily guest in our home, our comings and goings, our conversations, our work and play, our joys and sorrows.
I encourage you to do this at home anyway this year. I will be praying a blessing on this during our service this Sunday 3rd January. Marking the doorway to one’s home is rooted in the Bible. Holy Scripture reminds us that God has at times commanded his people to mark their doors. The Israelites marked their doors with the lamb’s blood on the night of the passover (Exodus 12:7). A similar command was given with the Shema Yisrael:
Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart … and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6:4-6, 9
20 + C + M + B + 21
- Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar.
- Latin words Christus mansionem benedicat, “May Christ bless the house.”
- + signs represent the cross and 2021 is the year.
Pray: O God of Light, bless this house and this family. May this be a place of peace and health. May each member of this church cultivate the gifts and graces you have given us, dedicating our talents and works for the good of all.
Make this place a shelter in the storm and a haven of rest for all in need of your warmth and care. May all who come and go here find healing, refreshment and new life through Jesus.
And when we go out from this place, may we never lose sight of your light. As we go about our work, our study, our play, keep us faithful and make us witnesses to your love.