Happy feast day of the Epiphany! Whether you celebrated at church last Sunday or are celebrating today, I pray that like the Magi, we all come to Jesus giving him our best.
Today we replaced the sticker on our front door to represent the new year. If you’re not familiar with this custom, here’s a quick explanation… the three initials, C, M, and B represent the three Wise Men: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. But they also represent the Latin phrase Christus Mansionem Benedicat, which means “Christ, Bless this house”. Surrounding those letters, are the numbers of the current year (2022) and they’re changed out every Epiphany. The symbol of the + in between each letter or number represents Jesus’ cross.
We write this on our door frames as a symbolic gesture reminiscent of the first Passover, but also to ask God’s blessing not only on those who reside in our home, but to all who enter it. Traditionally, it’s written in blessed chalk (and it can be written on the outside or inside), but since I like a more “permanent” look, I chose vinyl stickers (traced over in chalk on the feast day). There is a House Blessing that can be recited as well with a Scripture reading appropriate for the day. It helps to sing “We Three Kings” too. 😉
What better way to start a new year than to ask God’s blessing on those who enter our home? I love that the three Wise Men were three men from different countries, of different faiths, and who traveled an extensive journey in order to honor the newborn King. Let us learn from their example.
Lord, help us follow the paths you are calling us to take. May our homes be places of welcome and respite for others, and may they see Your unfailing love shine forth within those walls and the people residing there.
“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:10-11 (NIV)
See also: https://createdbeloved.com/2020/01/05/celebrating-the-epiphany-feast-of-the-three-kings/
Created Beloved 
I have always wondered about that. Thank you!
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