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Blessing of the Home at EpiphanyYesterday was Epiphany... and that means that those prophets sent to the baby Jesus have finally arrived and the Christmas season has come to a close. A way to mark the occasion and to help bring in the new year is to take a branch from the Christmas tree (if you use a real tree (please don't break your fake trees)) and go from room to room untill you bless the whole home. Below I will share with you a shorter version of the blessing that we have used in our home, if you would like a copy of the longer version, please reach out to me directly: Adapted from the ELW Matthew writes that when the magi saw the shining star stop overhead, they were filled with joy. “On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother” (Matt. 2:10-11). In the home, Christ is met in family and friends, in visitors and strangers. In the home, faith is shared, nurtured, and put into action. In the home, Christ is welcome. Twelfth Night (January 5), Epiphany of Our Lord (January 6), or another day during the time after Epiphany offers an occasion for gathering with friends and family members for a blessing for the home. Someone may lead the greeting and blessing, while another person may read the scripture passage. Following an eastern European tradition, a visual blessing may be inscribed with white chalk above the main door; for example, 20 + CMB + 23. The numbers change with each new year. The three letters stand for either the ancient Latin blessing Christe mansionem benedicat, which means “Christ, bless this house,” or the legendary names of the magi (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar).
Greeting
May peace be to this house and to all who enter here.
By wisdom a house is built
and through understanding it is established;
through knowledge its rooms are filled
with rare and beautiful treasures. (Proverbs 24:3-4)
Reading As we prepare to ask God’s blessing on this household, let us listen to the words of scripture.
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came into being through him,
and without him not one thing came into being,
and the life was the light of all people.
The Word became flesh and lived among us,
and we have seen his glory,
the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
From his fullness we have all received,
grace upon grace. (John 1:1-4, 14, 16)
Inscription
This inscription may be made with chalk above the entrance:
20 C M B 23
Write the appropriate character (left) while speaking the text (right).
The magi of old, known as
C Caspar,
M Melchior, and
B Balthasar,
followed the star of God’s Son who came to dwell among us
20 two thousand
23 and twenty-three years ago.
Christ, bless this house,
and remain with us throughout the new year.
Prayer of Blessing
O God, you revealed your Son to all people
by the shining light of a star.
We pray that you bless this home and all who live here
with your gracious presence.
May your love be our inspiration,
your wisdom our guide,
your truth our light,
and your peace our benediction;
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Then everyone may walk from room to room, blessing the house with incense or by sprinkling with water, perhaps using a branch from the Christmas tree. |
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Christmas DE-DecoratingIt's time to degreen the church - Please stick around after worship on Sunday, January 12th to help take down the tree and get us ready for the rest of the year. |
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Ordination of Wesley Joy IsbernerAll members of Bethany are invited to attend Wesley's ordination! In good Bethany fashion, there will be a POTLUCK following the worship. Please bring some good food to share for Wesley's final potluck with us! |
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Annual Meeting!On January 26th, following worship, we will have our Annual Meeting. This meeting is vital in setting up our year together as a community. We will discuss our budget, vote on new council members, and nominate members to send to assembly. Your voice matters - please be there if you can! |
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Equal Exchange Coffee and Tea |
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Synod News"You are invited to join the SCSW Office of the Bishop and the synod Racial Equity Team for listening sessions in support of our Latinx ministries and the migrant community in our midst. The migrant community is experiencing fear and uncertainty due to the on-going threat of family separation and massive deportations. Come and join us to express your support to our migrant siblings and to explore together how to provide accompaniment during this challenging time. Two listening sessions will be held in December: December 16, 6:00pm Beloit - St. Paul Lutheran/Parroquia San Jose
December 18, 6:00pm Madison - Midvale Community Lutheran Church" |
