Today’s solemnity is so named as it marks the announcement to the world of God’s manifestation in Christ. The day where the whole world, symbolised by the wise men from Gentile lands, come and discover the Messiah, the new ‘king of the Jews’.
THE EPHIPHANY BLESSING
Marking Homes with Blessed Chalk for the New Year
20 C + M + B 24
Peace be upon this house and with all of us who live here. Amen
Matthew 2:1-3, 10-11
The wise men from the East came to Jerusalem asking: Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
THE THREE WISE MEN
C CASPAR
M MELCHIOR
B BALTHASAR
FOLLOWED THE LIGHT OF THE STAR TO FIND JESUS,
THE SON OF GOD, WHO CAME TO LIVE AMONG US
20 TWO THOUSAND
24 AND TWENTY-FOUR YEARS AGO.
+ MAY CHRIST BLESS OUR HOME TODAY AND
+ REMAIN WITH US THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
Let us pray.
God of mercy, fill our home with the light and love of Christ
that it may be a place of hospitality and welcome.
May Christ be our shelter when we are at home,
Our companion when we are away,
And our welcome guest when we return.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.