The beginning of the year is often a time for reflection, resolutions, introspection, and intentions. This can be a beautiful, healthy practice. I pray that this is the case for you.

As part of this beginning in a good way, in this season of Epiphany, I encourage everyone to start the year with this simple home blessing (found below).

Chalk your doors to set the intention and, hopefully, awareness for the year that your home is where God dwells, where Christ is to be found.

Remember the story of the Magi, who came bearing gifts and were themselves even more richly blessed. May you experience in your homes that reciprocity of giving and receiving, blessing and being blessed. May all the gifts we give and receive all year long be part of our worship, our offering, our homage to the one we continue to both seek and find: Love Incarnate.

Thanks be to God!

 

CG+

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One: Peace be to this house and to all who enter here.
All: Amen.

One or more of the following prayers may be said by the same or different people:

  1. May all who come to our home this year rejoice to find Christ living among us; and may we seek and serve, in everyone we meet, that same Jesus who is your incarnate Word, now and forever. Amen.
  2. God of heaven and earth, you revealed your only-begotten One to every nation by the guidance of a star. Bless this house and all who inhabit it. Fill us with the light of Christ, that our concern for others may reflect your love. We ask this through Christ our Saviour. Amen.
  3. Loving God, bless this household. May we be blessed with health, goodness of heart, gentleness, and abiding in your will. We ask this through Christ our Saviour. Amen.

As someone writes above the door in chalk,

20 + C + M + B + 25

They or another person says:

The three Wise Men, [C] Caspar, [M] Melchior, [B] and Balthasar followed the star to Bethlehem and the child Jesus [20] two thousand, [25] and twenty-five years ago. [+ +] May Christ bless our home [+ +], and remain with us throughout the new year. Amen.

 

All say the Lord’s Prayer