CHALKING THE DOOR:

A home liturgy to be used in the celebration of the Feast of the

Epiphany This brief liturgy appeared in similar form in Section 4 of the ELCIC's

GATHERED FOR WORSHIP (c) 1995 and is based on work by Paul F. Bosch and

Andre Lavergne. Comments may be directed to Pastor André Lavergne (lavergne@golden.net), Staff Person for Worship at the national offices of the ELCIC in Winnipeg, or at Trinity Lutheran Church, New Hamburg, Ontario.

This liturgy is copyright (c) 1996 Evangelical Lutheran Church in

Canada. People are free to use this liturgy. Acknowledgment would be

appreciated.

CHALKING THE DOOR

[On the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6, family and friends gather

at the main entrances

to homes or apartments (nursing home quarters, extended care

facility, hospital rooms!),

and ask God's blessing on their dwellings and on all who live or

visit there.]

[Leadership may be shared with a change of voice at each "L."]

L Peace be to this house and to all who enter here.

L A reading from Proverbs: "By wisdom a house is built, and through

understanding it is

established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and

beautiful treasures."

L Let us pray: Gracious God, as a shining star once guided the magi

to the birthplace of the

infant Jesus, so enable those who dwell here to be your light in

the world; through Jesus

Christ we pray.

R Amen.

[Using chalk (hence, "Chalking the Door"), people are invited to

inscribe the lintel of the

home (the horizontal frame above the door) with the inscription

shown below. The letters

C M B come from the traditional (9th century) names for the "three

kings" -- Caspar,

Melchior & Balthazar. Some also suggest "Christus Mansionem

Benedicat" which means

"May Christ bless this dwelling!"]

[Each person is afforded a turn to make one or more of the marks:]

19 + C + M + B + 98

L A reading from Isaiah: "The effect of righteousness is peace, and

the result of righteous-ness, quietness and trust forever. My people will abide in a

peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and quiet places."

[People may join hands or extend their hands outward and upward

(orans) for the prayers.]

L Let us pray: Sovereign God, we pray that you will bless this home

and all who live here

with your gracious presence, that your love may be our inspiration,

your wisdom our

guide, your truth our light, and your peace our benediction;

through Jesus Christ we pray.

R Amen.

L Lord, remember your children and teach us to pray:

R Our Father...

[People may make the sign of the cross where indicated (+) in

remembrance of their baptism.]

L May the Lord watch (+) over our going out and our coming in, from

this time forth and forevermore.

R Amen.