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Chalking the Door of Your Home on Epiphany
January 6, 2021 @ 6:30 pm
Gather on Zoom with senior pastor Paul Escamilla as he leads us through this ritual from his own front porch.
Zoom Meeting ID: 130 214 408
On Epiphany (January 6th) we tell the story from Matthew 2:1-12 of magi following a star in search of the Christ child. This story encourages us to be steadfast in our own faith journey, and to bring to God our best gifts—not merely material offerings, but also perseverance in life’s challenges and trust in God’s provision along the uncharted path of life.
“Chalking the door” of our homes is a special Epiphany practice to invite us to pattern our lives after the enterprise and devotion of the magi. It consists of writing with chalk above or beside the front door this series of symbols:
20 + C +M + B + 21
This sequence represents the year (2021) and the initials of the names traditionally given to the magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar*. The repeated cross represents Christ as the constant companion on our life’s journey.
A concluding prayer: Eternal God, bless the home to which this door opens with your presence and peace; and bless every journey beyond this door with your guidance and grace. Through Christ our Savior we pray. Amen.
*CMB is also the abbreviation for the Latin Christus Mansionem Benedicat, “May Christ bless this dwelling.”