Building on Blessings

Today is the Feast of the Epiphany during which we celebrate the three wise men arriving at Jesus' manger to present gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to his family and him. It was also the day I drove my Mom to meet my big brother so he could take her back to her home in northeastern Pennsylvania. Mom was here since New Year's Eve and it was a whirlwind of a visit that found us thoroughly enjoying ourselves in an historical restaurant that was built back in 1837, sharing stories over a lunch date with a dear friend in a coffeehouse in a repurposed church, hosting multiple playdates, looking at gloriously decorated Christmas trees in a mansion in Wheeling, exploring Christmas lights in a park at dusk, and even allowed Adam and I to "escape" to go on a date among many other sights and sites we experienced and visited during Mom's trip. 

Yes, these last 12 Days of Christmas have flown by and were so needed after a particularly stressful fall semester and as we gear up for an equally, if not more, stressful upcoming spring semester. I'm so excited to be back with my students again and to get back into the classroom but will miss these days of being able to plan special surprises and outings, taking the days as they came, as well as taking in the blessings of our humble little abode on the hill. 

I'm extra thankful for all this extra time being spent at home as of late for it was eight years ago today that we purchased our home. Just before Mom and I left to meet my brother this morning, Adam, she, and I took part in the blessing of our home (again). I say again because Msgr. Jerry had done the blessing back in 2016 but this morning, we were able to utilize the below information to allow us to re-bless our home thanks to a post I had seen in the Catechism in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz facebook group:

Traditionally, Catholics bless their home and those who live in their household on the Feast of the Epiphany each year.

It’s not difficult to do and we highly recommend you give it a try! Here’s how.

Meaning of the Blessing 20 + C + M + B + 23

The letters C, M, B have two meanings. They are the initials of the traditional names of the three magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. They also represent the Latin words “Christus mansionem benedicat” which means “May Christ bless the house.” The “+” signs symbolize the cross and the 20 and the 23 represent the year, 2023.

What You’ll Need To Bless Your Home On The Epiphany

Prayers

Chalk

A doorway

A ladder or chair

Prayers for the Epiphany Home Blessing

Lord God of heaven and earth, you revealed your only-begotten Son to every nation by the guidance of a star. Bless this house and all who inhabit it. Fill them (us) with the light of Christ, that their (our) concern for others may reflect your love. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

R/. Amen.

The leader concludes the rite by signing himself or herself with the sign of the cross and saying:

May Christ Jesus dwell with us, keep us from all harm, and make us one in mind and heart, now and forever.

R/. Amen.

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As we prayed the above prayer, I was drawn to the being filled with the light of Christ bit. It reminded me immediately of the light on the hill reference from Matthew's Gospel which was the scripture of the day on the day we purchased our home! I have that scripture printed out and on a picture of Charlotte holding a lantern that was taken a few years ago. This picture hangs up directly across from our entrance to our home so was directly behind us as we all gathered and prayed at the doorway to our home. I love coming home and seeing that image, among our wedding photo and our getting proposed to photo we have displayed on that same wall as I cross the threshold from the outside world to our inside world within our house.

Thank you, Lord, for the blessings of our home, for a roof over our heads, for a comfortable and cozy space family and friends alike can enjoy and gather in, for a space that holds memories of Adam's cross-country move to the East Coast and later, of my moving in after tearing down wallpaper and updating flooring during that spring semester leading up to our wedding...and after we were married.

Thank you, Lord, for the beginnings of our family growing and the pitter patter of Charlotte's feet first as she crawled, then began walking, and now as she runs and skips around with glee during playdates or when chasing her puppy.

Thank you for the comfort this home brings when sorrows arise, anxiety takes its toll, and insecurities flow with reckless abandon. May it be a haven for all who enter it.

Thank you for the sturdy walls that reflect back inspirational quotes (or, as Adam would say, too many words!) and showcase treasured moments captured on film over the years with people who still live on in our hearts and in places long ago forgotten.

Thank you, Lord, for this little piece of land and structure on it which we call home. What a gift to come home to the house on the hill and to continue living within it as we seek out new experiences and go through the ebb and flow of changes and the familiar and routine as time marches on...the three wise men took a journey and faced the unexpected...much like how many of us also encounter on our own respective journeys. Look for the blessings and store those up rather than the disappointments! Put those moments and blessings into your metaphorical box and present those to Jesus. Each day we have the chance to begin again and the chance to give back to our Creator and to others! 🙏