The
magi have, at last, found their way to the stable to worship the Christ
child. It's a bit crowded around there now. Sorry you haven't had
much in the way of travel reports this year - doing the Advent alphabet was
quite demanding!
The
Bible doesn't tell us the names of the magi. It doesn't even say how many
they were. Tradition says there were three because three gifts are named
but it ain't necessarily so. Tradition also names them Caspar, Melchior
and Balthasar, CMB.
Each
year at Epiphany I take down my Christmas wreath and chalk the door. That
isn't easy on a modern UPVC door so I have a chalk label for the purpose.
On it I have written 20 C + M + B 26 in honour of all who seek Christ wherever
he is to be found. And I pray Christus Mansionem Benedicat (May Christ
bless this house) using the traditional initials in a different way.
I’m glad the wise men finally found their way to Bethlehem. Blessings to your house from ours on this cold wet morning. Catriona
ReplyDeleteAnd on your house too. Christus domum tuam benedicat. (May Christ bless your home.)
DeleteI had never heard of chalking the door until the Lutheran church whose daycare I work at did it at the daycare entrance a few months ago! How interesting to see you now writing of it too. 🌟
ReplyDeleteI think this is the fourth year I have done it. Christus domum tuam benedicat.
DeleteChristus domum tuam benedicat
ReplyDeleteGratias tibi.
DeleteThis is very interesting. As a Christ follower I was moved by this post. May God bless you through out the year.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteThank you for explaining this custom, Mary. I've not seen or heard of any of my Catholic relatives doing this, so it is completely new to me. Do you keep up the chalk board throughout the year and rechalk it when the initial chalking fades or washes away from rain, etc.? Or, is it done once a year?
ReplyDeleteWhen I bought my house, it came with a mezuzah fixed to the frame of the front door and I have I kept it in place (after asking one of my Jewish friends if it would be okay to do so and being reassured that it was).
The label stays in place. It's a custom gaining popularity again among several denominations.
DeleteThanks so much for this interesting explanation of chalking the door.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
You're welcome!
Delete