The Blessing of a Home at Epiphany

Blessing of a Home

At Epiphany

The members of the household gather at the front door of the home and use chalk to write on the door, the lintel or the stoop:

20 + C + M + B + 17

Alternatively, the above can be written on a piece of paper and attached to the door.  “CMB” stands for both the traditional names of the three magi (Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar) and the Latin for “Christ bless this home:” Christus mansionem benedicat.

 

All say the rhyme together:

Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar,

Though the light seems very far

Darkness shall be overcome

Christ come now and bless our home

Peace be to this house, and all who enter it.

Inside the Song of Mary is said together

The Lord has shone forth his glory: Come let us adore him.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in you, O God my Savior, *

for you have looked with favor on your lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed: *

you, the Almighty, have done great things for me,

and holy is your name.

You have mercy on those who fear you *

from generation to generation.

You have shown strength with your arm *

and scattered the proud in their conceit,

Casting down the mighty from their thrones *

and lifting up the lowly.

You have filled the hungry with good things *

and sent the rich away empty.

You have come to the help of your servant Israel, *

for you have remembered your promise of mercy,

The promise made to our forebears, *

to Abraham and his children for ever.

The Lord has shone forth his glory: Come let us adore him.

Leader       The Lord be with you.

People       And also with you.

Leader       Let us pray.

O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the people 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 forever.  Amen.

Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of your presence.  Bless us who live here with the gift of your love; and grant that we may manifest your love to all whose lives we touch.  May we grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen us; and preserve us in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and forever.  Amen.

If desired, Holy Water may be sprinkled in the main room and/or each room of the house.  If in each room, say in each room “Christ bless this house.”  Incense may be burned as well.

When the sprinkling is done, all say

The blessing of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be upon us and remain with us and our home forever.  Amen.

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