This short liturgy is a way of marking our homes, usually at the main entrance, with sacred signs and symbols as we ask God’s blessing upon those who live, work, or visit throughout the coming year
Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen
Leader: Let us praise God, who fills our hearts and homes with peace. Blessed be God forever
All: Blessed be God forever
Leader: The Word became flesh and made his dwelling place among us. It is Christ who enlightens our hearts and homes with his love. May all who enter this home find Christ’s light and love.
Reader Let us listen to the words of the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
After their audience with king Herod, the Magi set out for Bethlehem. 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.
The Gospel of the Lord.
The intercessions are then said:
Leader: The Son of God made his home among us. With thanks and praise let us call upon him. We pray: All: Stay with us, Lord.
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, with Mary and Joseph you formed the Holy Family: remain in our home, that we may know you as our guest and honour you as our Head. We pray: All: Stay with us, Lord.
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, you had no place to lay your head, but in the spirit of poverty accepted the hospitality of your friends: grant that through our help the homeless may obtain proper housing. We pray: All: Stay with us, Lord.
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, the three Magi presented their gifts to you in praise and adoration: grant that those living in this house may use their talents and abilities to your greater glory. We pray: All: Stay with us, Lord.
The leader says the prayer of blessing with hands joined:
O God, you once used a star to show to all the world that Jesus is your Son. May the light of that star that once guided wise men to his birth, now guide us to recognize him in the epiphanies of the daily experiences of our lives. As we go about our work, our study, our play, keep us in its light and in your love. May all who enter here find your gracious hospitality, for Christ has come to dwell in this house and in these hearts. All: Amen.
Each person present can take turns writing the following blessing over the doorway of the house with chalk.
20 + C + M + B + 23
(The letters have two meanings. They abbreviate the Latin words “Christus Mansionem Benedicat”, “May Christ bless this house”. They also are the initials of the customary names of the Three Magi: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. The year is divided before and after the these letters. The crosses (+) represent the protection of the Christ.)
We three kings of Orient are / Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain / Following yonder star.
O Star of wonder, star of night/ Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding / Guide us to thy Perfect Light
Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain / Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never / Over us all to reign. O Star of wonder …
Frankincense to offer have I / Incense owns a Deity nigh /Prayer and praising, all men raising / Worship Him, God most high. / O Star of wonder …
Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume / Breathes of life of gathering gloom / Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying / Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.
O Star of wonder …
AN EPIPHANY BLESSING FOR THE HOME
This short liturgy is a way of marking our homes, usually at the main entrance, with sacred signs and symbols as we ask God’s blessing upon those who live, work, or visit throughout the coming year
Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen
Leader: Let us praise God, who fills our hearts and homes with peace. Blessed be God forever
All: Blessed be God forever
Leader: The Word became flesh and made his dwelling place among us. It is Christ who enlightens our hearts and homes with his love. May all who enter this home find Christ’s light and love.
Reader Let us listen to the words of the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
After their audience with king Herod, the Magi set out for Bethlehem. 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.
The Gospel of the Lord.
The intercessions are then said:
Leader: The Son of God made his home among us. With thanks and praise let us call upon him. We pray: All: Stay with us, Lord.
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, with Mary and Joseph you formed the Holy Family: remain in our home, that we may know you as our guest and honour you as our Head. We pray: All: Stay with us, Lord.
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, you had no place to lay your head, but in the spirit of poverty accepted the hospitality of your friends: grant that through our help the homeless may obtain proper housing. We pray: All: Stay with us, Lord.
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, the three Magi presented their gifts to you in praise and adoration: grant that those living in this house may use their talents and abilities to your greater glory. We pray: All: Stay with us, Lord.
The leader says the prayer of blessing with hands joined:
O God, you once used a star to show to all the world that Jesus is your Son. May the light of that star that once guided wise men to his birth, now guide us to recognize him in the epiphanies of the daily experiences of our lives. As we go about our work, our study, our play, keep us in its light and in your love. May all who enter here find your gracious hospitality, for Christ has come to dwell in this house and in these hearts. All: Amen.
Each person present can take turns writing the following blessing over the doorway of the house with chalk.
20 + C + M + B + 23
(The letters have two meanings. They abbreviate the Latin words “Christus Mansionem Benedicat”, “May Christ bless this house”. They also are the initials of the customary names of the Three Magi: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. The year is divided before and after the these letters. The crosses (+) represent the protection of the Christ.)
We three kings of Orient are / Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain / Following yonder star.
O Star of wonder, star of night/ Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding / Guide us to thy Perfect Light
Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain / Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never / Over us all to reign. O Star of wonder …
Frankincense to offer have I / Incense owns a Deity nigh /Prayer and praising, all men raising / Worship Him, God most high. / O Star of wonder …
Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume / Breathes of life of gathering gloom / Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying / Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.
O Star of wonder …
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