Dear Friends,

An old Epiphany tradition involves using chalk to write the letters CMB and the numbers of the current year, separated by crosses (+), over the doors of congregations and Christian homes:  20+C+M+B +20 or CMB + 2020.  The letters CMB are said to stand for the names of the magi (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar) or the Latin phrase Christus mansionem benedicat (Christ bless this house).

Before or after chalking the doors, the following or a similar prayer may be said:

God of doors and homes, bless this home this year and every year.

Bless all who come and go through this door, both those who live here and those who visit.

May all who enter through this door come in peace and bring joy.

May all who come to this door find welcome and love.

May the love and joy in this home overflow and spread into the community and the world.

And may Jesus the Christ watch over us all.  Amen.

Peace,
Pastor Jack