Christ bless this house in 2018 

How to bless your house on Epiphany, 6th January 2018 

In many countries around the world there is a 6th January Epiphany Day tradition of blessing a home by writing in chalk above the front door the New Year and the initials C M B:

20 + C + M + B + 18 

The initials are from the first letter of the names of the three Magi or Wise Men from the East who visited baby Jesus:  Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. The initials, C, M, B, can also be interpreted as the Latin phrase "Christus mansionem benedicat" which means "Christ bless this house". The + signs represent the cross and 2018 is the year.

This year the students of St Mary’s Academy have blessed their school following this tradition.

We invite you and your family to ask for God’s blessing on your home and all those who live in or visit it. It is an invitation for Jesus to be a daily guest in our home, our comings and goings, our work and play, our joys and sorrows.

 Use the chalk to mark the lintel of your front door (or front porch step) as follows:

 20 + C + M + B + 18 while saying: 

The three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar followed the star of God’s Son who became human two thousand and seventeen years ago. May Christ bless our home and remain with us throughout the new year. Amen.

Then offer the following prayer:
Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of your presence. Bless all who live or visit here with the
 gift of your love; and grant that we may manifest your love to each other and to all whose lives we touch.
 May we grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen us in peace,
O Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen