Epiphany is an ancient church feast marking the Magi's visit to the infant Jesus, bringing him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. It is celebrated on January 6th--marking the end of Christmas.
All Saints' invites your family to join us on Friday, January 6th, at 6:30PM for an Epiphany Eucharistic Celebration which will include "The Blessing of Chalk for Home Blessings." The service will be a simple, family-centered liturgy.
What is the "Blessing of Chalk?"
The chalking of the doors is a centuries-old practice throughout the world. Father Ryan will bless chalk that service participants will then take home and write in chalk the following above the entrance of their home: 20 + C+M + B + 17.
The letters have two meanings. First, they represent the initials of the Magi - Caspar, Malchior, and Balthazar - who came to visit Jesus in His first home. They also abbreviate the Latin phrase, Christus mansionem benedicat: "May Christ bless the house." The "+" signs represent the cross, and the "20" at the beginning and the "17" at the end mark the year.
Taken together, this inscription is performed as a request that Christ to bless those homes. We ask for Christ's blessing on our homes and on all who live, work or visit them there.
The chalking of the doors of a home encourages Christians to dedicate their life at home to God and to others. Seeing the symbols over our doors can help to remind us, while passing in and out on our daily routines, that our homes and all those who dwell there belong to Christ.
All Saints' invites your family to join us on Friday, January 6th, at 6:30PM for an Epiphany Eucharistic Celebration which will include "The Blessing of Chalk for Home Blessings." The service will be a simple, family-centered liturgy.
What is the "Blessing of Chalk?"
The chalking of the doors is a centuries-old practice throughout the world. Father Ryan will bless chalk that service participants will then take home and write in chalk the following above the entrance of their home: 20 + C+M + B + 17.
The letters have two meanings. First, they represent the initials of the Magi - Caspar, Malchior, and Balthazar - who came to visit Jesus in His first home. They also abbreviate the Latin phrase, Christus mansionem benedicat: "May Christ bless the house." The "+" signs represent the cross, and the "20" at the beginning and the "17" at the end mark the year.
Taken together, this inscription is performed as a request that Christ to bless those homes. We ask for Christ's blessing on our homes and on all who live, work or visit them there.
The chalking of the doors of a home encourages Christians to dedicate their life at home to God and to others. Seeing the symbols over our doors can help to remind us, while passing in and out on our daily routines, that our homes and all those who dwell there belong to Christ.
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