The whole of Christmas season, especially on the feast of the Epiphany, is a traditional time to bless homes including passageways and doorways. The family and all others dwelling in the home gather to ask God’s blessing on their home, those who live in the home, and those who visit the home. It is an invitation for Jesus to be a daily guest in our home, our comings and goings, our conversations, our work and play, our joys, and our sorrows. You may wish to do this too. If you don’t have chalk or holy water, that’s ok. You can trace the letters and numbers on the doorways.
Here is one version.
Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
Leader: Peace be to this house and to all who dwell here, in the name of the Lord.
All: Blessed be God forever.
Leader: A reading from the Second Letter of Peter.
All: Glory to You, O Lord.
Leader: We look forward to the new heavens and the new earth God has promised, a dwelling place of righteousness. The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God!
Write above the interior doorways, with chalk or just trace, the year and the initials of the Magi – Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. (Scripture neither names them nor says there were three of them.) In another tradition, the C-M-B refers to the Latin phrase “Christus mansionem benedicat,” which is translated as “May Christ bless this house.”
20 + C + M + B + 17
As the initials are inscribed all say, “May Christ bless this house.” Sprinkle with holy water if available.
Go to each room of the house and sprinkle with holy water, if available, saying “Bless this room O Lord.” And all respond “ Amen!” All return to the front door to pray.
Leader: O Lord, Almighty God, bless this house that it may become a shelter of health, chastity, self-conquest, humility, goodness, mildness, obedience to the Commandments, and thanksgiving to God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Upon this house and those who dwell in it may Your blessing remain forever. Hear us, O Holy Lord, Father Almighty, Eternal God and send Your Holy Angel from Heaven to watch over, cherish, protect, be with, and defend all who live in this house. We call upon Your Saints, Casper, Melchior, and Balthazar to protect us and our home from every harm and danger, and may all who enter know that this house is truly a house of the Lord. O God, may the door of our house be wide enough to receive all who need love and companionship, and narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride, and strife. O God, make the door of our home the gateway to Your eternal Kingdom. We ask these things in the Name of Jesus Christ Your Son.
All: Amen.