“We three Kings of Oil and Tar, tried to smoke a rubber cigar. It was loaded and exploded, now we are seeing stars”.
For some, this may bring back memories of childhood, their own or of children and grandchildren who sang this or a related irreverent version of the old Christmas hymn about the Epiphany. When we remember the Epiphany what else may come to mind is children in their parents’ bathrobes. Apparently, shepherds and magi shopped at JC Penny, or at least those appearing in Epiphany pageants. These should be sweet and treasured memories of how we celebrated and still celebrate the revelation to the world that the child born in Bethlehem to Mary and Joseph is the King of the Jews, Lord of Lords, and Son of God.
There a couple lesser known and practiced traditions that you might try this year to enhance your experience of the Epiphany. One is to mark the top of your home’s front door with the following:
20+C+B+M+24
20 and 24 represent the year. C+B+M refer to the Latin phrase Christus Mansionem Benedicat meaning “May Christ bless this house.” Alternatively, the letters CBM are said the stand for the three magi whose names are Caspar, Melchoir, and Balthazar. You may add the following prayers from the Episcopal Book of Occasional Services.:
The Blessing of a Home at Epiphany
V. God shall watch over your going out and your coming in.
R. From this time forth for ever more.
People may mark the doorway with symbols in chalk blessed with this prayer:
Loving God, bless this chalk which you have created, that it may be helpful to your people; and grant that through the invocation of your most Holy Name that we who use it in faith to write upon the door of our home the names of your holy ones Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, may receive health of body and protection of soul for all who dwell in or visit our home; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God of and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Light of the nations and the Glory of your people, bless (N & N) who dwell in this house. May it be for them a place of peace and health, that they may rejoice in the gifts and graces you have bestowed upon them and dedicate their talents for the good of those for whom your Christ came and gave his life, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
A second tradition is to bless candles on or near February 2 which is the Feast Day of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple. As a remembering of Jesus as the Light of the World and the light that dispels the darkness, you are invited to bring candles from home to be blessed and carried out. These become the Light of Christ visibly carried out into the world and into our homes. We will bless our church candles and your candles on Sunday, February 4.
The Light of Christ lead you like a star at night and scatter the darkness before your path,
Fr. Bill+