By Web Team
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January 2, 2026
Epiphany House Blessing The Church observes a long‑standing tradition of blessing homes on the Feast of the Epiphany and throughout the following week. During this time, families and friends come together to pray for God’s protection over their households and for all who live in or enter the home. This blessing serves as a reminder to welcome Christ into our daily lives—into our routines, our conversations, our work and leisure, and all the moments of happiness or difficulty we experience. The traditional date of Epiphany is January 6, but in the United States it is celebrated on the Sunday between January 2 and January 8. The practice of blessing homes with chalk at Epiphany dates back many centuries, when priests would travel from house to house in their parish following the Feast of the Epiphany. As parishes expanded and the number of priests remained limited, it became increasingly challenging for clergy to visit every household. In response, the custom gradually evolved so that a member of the family could carry out the blessing on behalf of the priest, a tradition that is now widely accepted. The Epiphany House Blessing involves using chalk blessed during the Epiphany celebration to mark the doorway of the home with the inscription: 20 + C + M + B + 26. The letters C, M, and B carry a dual meaning. They represent the traditional names of the Magi—Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar—and they also stand for the Latin phrase Christus mansionem benedicat, meaning “May Christ bless this house.” The plus signs symbolize the cross, and the number reflects the current year. Because the year changes annually, the marking is updated each Epiphany; for this year, the proper inscription is 20 + C + M + B + 26. “Chalking the door” offers a tangible way to honor the Epiphany and to mark our homes with a reminder of God’s blessing over our lives. As the chalk slowly wears away, its message remains. The fading symbols invite us to let their significance take root within us, shaping our thoughts, our speech, and the way we live each day. *You may pick up a piece of chalk from the basket in the Narthex. Instructions for Blessing Your Home Head of Household: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. All: Amen. Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:1-16 When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.” Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.” After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way. When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. Using the blessed chalk, the Head of the Household marks the lintel of your front door (or front porch step, or a wall within your home) as follows: 20 + C + M + B + 26 saying: The three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar followed the star of God’s Son who became human two thousand and twenty-six years ago. May Christ bless our home and remain with us throughout the new year. Amen. Then all say the following prayer: Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of your presence. Bless all who live or visit here with the gift of your love; and grant that we may manifest your love to each other and to all whose lives we touch. May we grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen us in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and for ever. Amen.
