Epiphany Blessing

This poem is based on the traditional Epiphany chalk house blessing, used widely throughout the world though less known in the United States. Here is how it works. Using any piece of chalk, mark above the house entrance 20 + C + M + B + 23. The letters have two meanings. First, they are the initials of the three Wise Men – Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar – who came to visit Jesus in his first home. They also abbreviate the Latin phrase Christus, mansionem benedicat: “May Christ bless the house.”

The “+” signs represent the cross, and the “20” at the beginning and the “23” at the end mark the current year.

Taken together, the inscription is a request for Christ to bless the homes so marked and that he stay with those in the house throughout the year.

 

Epiphany Blessing

Think of the year as a house: door flung wide in welcome,

threshold swept and waiting, a graced spaciousness

opening and offering itself to you.

 

Let it be blessed in every room.

Let it be hallowed in every corner.

Let every nook be a refuge

and every object set to holy use.

 

Let it be here that safety will rest.

Let it be here that health will make its home.

Let it be here that peace will show its face.

Let it be here that love will find its way.

 

Here let the weary come

let the aching come

let the lost come

let the sorrowing come.

Here let them find their rest

and let them find their soothing

and let them find their place

and let them find their delight.

 

And may it be in this house of a year

that the seasons will spin in beauty,

and may it be in these turning days

that time will spiral with joy.

And may it be that its rooms will fill

with ordinary grace

and light spill from every window

to welcome the stranger home.

 

Jan Richardson, lakeviewunited.ca January 2, 2019