Nebraska Synod ELCA

by Bishop Scott Alan Johnson

The season of Epiphany will soon be upon us, and with it a chance to bless your house with a sign that might last the whole year long. Epiphany means “shining through” in Greek – the coming of the Magi to worship the Christ Child was one of the first instances of God’s glory “shining through” Jesus. As such, on Epiphany night we can gather in our homes to pray and bless our houses in such a way that we ask God to shine through us as well. This rite is taken from Augsburg Fortress’ Sundays and Seasons for use in your own homes.

Matthew writes that when the magi saw the shining star stop overhead, they were filled with joy. “On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother” (Matt. 2:10-11). In the home, Christ is met in family and friends, in visitors and strangers. In the home, faith is shared, nurtured, and put into action. In the home, Christ is welcome.

Twelfth Night (January 5) or another day during the season of Epiphany offers an occasion for gathering with friends and family members for a blessing of the home, using the following as a model. Someone may lead the greeting and blessing, while another person may read the scripture passage. Following an eastern European tradition, a visual blessing may be inscribed with white chalk above the main door; for example, 20 + CMB + 14. The numbers change with each new year. The three letters stand for either the ancient Latin blessing Christe mansionem benedica, which means, “Christ, bless this house,” or the legendary names of the magi (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar).

GREETING
May peace be to this house and to all who enter here. By wisdom a house is built and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.

READING
As we prepare to ask God’s blessing on this household, let us listen to the words of scripture, from the first chapter of the Gospel of John:
“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 into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

INSCRIPTION
This inscription may be made with chalk above the entrance:
20 + C M B + 15

The magi of old, known as
C: Caspar,
M: Melchior, and
B: Balthasar
followed the star of God’s Son who came to dwell among us
20: two thousand
15: and fifteen years ago.
+: Christ, bless this house,
+: and remain with us throughout the new year.

PRAYER OF BLESSING
O God, you revealed your Son to all people by the shining light of a star. We pray that you bless this home and all who live here with your gracious presence. May your love be our inspiration, your wisdom our guide, your truth our light and your peace our benediction; through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2014 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #26431.