The Presbyterian Women invite you to “Chalk Your Door” on January 6th
CELEBRATING EPIPHANY
Christmas has passed. Now we count down the “12 days of Christmas” to Epiphany, which celebrates the arrival of the three wise men, known as the Magi, on January 6th. On Epiphany, the day following the Twelfth Day of Christmas, we invoke the Magi’s and Christ’s own blessing upon our homes by “Chalking the Door,” which is writing – with chalk – the initials CMB interspersed with crosses and flanked by the numbers of the present year, on the lintel of a house’s front door.
20 + C + M + B + 21
Tradition has it that the three wise men were called Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar. CMB also abbreviates a Latin blessing, Christus mansionem benedicat, meaning “May Christ bless this dwelling.” After chalking the door, light a candle and say an Epiphany prayer.
On Sunday, December 27th & January 3rd, a basket with chalk and prayers will be in the courtyard to help you observe this tradition. It is our wish for you to have a Blessed and Happier New Year.
