Epiphany of the Lord
"Epiphany" means manifestation or revelation. At the Epiphany of the Lord we celebrate the manifestation of God's saving purpose to all the nations of the world. Just as the magi came from a distant land to worship the Christ child, God's covenant of grace is extended to all people who believe the good news of Jesus Christ. The symbolism of light is important - not only because of the star that guided the magi, but as it suggests the bright dawning of God's self-revelation in Jesus Christ. As Christians, we are called to bear Christ's light in the world.
Traditionally, the Epiphany of the Lord is celebrated on January 6, the conclusion of the season of Christmas; Epiphany may also be observed on the previous Sunday.
COLOR: white
Chalking the Doors
An old Epiphany tradition involves using chalk to write the letters CMB and the numbers of the current year, separated by crosses (+), over the doors of congregations and Christian homes: 20 + C + M + B + 25 or CMB + 2025. The letters CMB are said to stand for the names of the magi (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar) or the Latin phrase Christus mansionem benedicat (Christ bless this house).
Before or after chalking the doors, the following or a similar prayer may be said:
God of doors and homes,
bless this home this year and every year.
Bless all who come and go through this door,
both those who live here and those who visit.
May all who enter through this door
come in peace and bring joy.
May all who come to this door
find welcome and love.
May the love and joy in this home overflow
and spread into the community and all the world.
And may Jesus the Christ watch over us all. Amen.
- from the Presbyterian Book of Common Worship (2018)
Traditionally, the Epiphany of the Lord is celebrated on January 6, the conclusion of the season of Christmas; Epiphany may also be observed on the previous Sunday.
COLOR: white
Chalking the Doors
An old Epiphany tradition involves using chalk to write the letters CMB and the numbers of the current year, separated by crosses (+), over the doors of congregations and Christian homes: 20 + C + M + B + 25 or CMB + 2025. The letters CMB are said to stand for the names of the magi (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar) or the Latin phrase Christus mansionem benedicat (Christ bless this house).
Before or after chalking the doors, the following or a similar prayer may be said:
God of doors and homes,
bless this home this year and every year.
Bless all who come and go through this door,
both those who live here and those who visit.
May all who enter through this door
come in peace and bring joy.
May all who come to this door
find welcome and love.
May the love and joy in this home overflow
and spread into the community and all the world.
And may Jesus the Christ watch over us all. Amen.
- from the Presbyterian Book of Common Worship (2018)