(The traditional date of Epiphany is January 6, but in the United States it is celebrated on the Sunday between January 2 and January 8. The household gathers at the creche (manger scene). The senior member of the group leads the blessing. Holy water is poured into a bowl and an evergreen branchlet from the Christmas tree is used for the blessing. Chalk which has been blessed by a priest is used to mark yy + C + M + B + xx on the top of the doorjamb of every entrance to the house. yy equals 19 or 20, the century. xx equals 98, 99, 00, etc..the number of the new year. C, M, B represent the names tradition gives to the wisemen, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar.)



BLESSING OF THE HOME
All make the sign of the cross: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
Leader (L): Peace be with this house and with all who live here.
Blessed be the Name of the Lord.
All (A): Now and forever more. Amen.

L: Show us, O Lord, Your mercy.
A: And grant us Your salvation.

L: O Lord hear my prayer.
A: And let my cry come unto You.

L: During these days of the Christmas season, we keep this feast of Epiphany, celebrating the manifestation of Christ to the Magi, to John in the River Jordan, and to the disciples at the wedding of Cana. Today Christ is manifest to us! Today this home is a holy place!

(Scripture is read by another member) Listen to the words of the holy Gospel according to John:
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 to be through Him, and without Him, nothing came into being.
(all bow their heads for the following)
AND THE WORD BECAME FLESH AND MADE HIS DWELLING AMONG US
and we saw His glory, the glory as of the Father's only Son, Full of grace and truth.
A: Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.


THE BLESSING WITH CHALK
This starts with the main entrance and is repeated at every other entrance into the home.
(On the lintel of the door the leader writes 20 + C + M + B + 02)
L: 20 + In this century of Our Lord and God
A: We honor Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

L: C + May all who come to our house this year
A: Find Christ living among us.

L: M + May our home be a place of faith
A: A dwelling of goodness, love and peace.

L: B + Bless this house and all who inhabit it
A: Fill us with a concern for others and may we reflect your love.

L: 00 In this year of Our Lord and God
A: Bless all the members of this household and surround them with your protection.

A: Lord, God of heaven and earth, You revealed Your Only-Begotten Son to every nation by the guidance of a star. Grant that those who live in this house will be a light of truth and goodness.
We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.


THE BLESSING WITH HOLY WATER
(At the creche the leader begis the prayer of blessing over the bowl of water and the other members respond. Everyone dips their hand in the water and makes the sign of the cross. The leader blesses each of the rooms with the green branch dipped in the water.)

L:Lord God Almighty, Creator of all life, of body and soul, we ask You to bless this water
A: as we use it in faith, forgive our sins and save us from all illness and the power of evil. Amen!

THE BLESSING WITH INCENSE
(Before the evening meal a piece of charcoal is placed in a safe container for burning is lighted with a match. At the table during the Grace before the meal one member puts incense upon the hot coal. The grace is said:

L: Lord Jesus, in the peace of this season our spirits rejoice: accept this incense as a perfect evening sacrifice. May it purify our house from all evil, and keep us in your loving kindness.
A: By Your coming may the hungry be filled with good things, and may our table and home be blessed.

all recite the Our Father

L: Lord Jesus, Son of God and Mary
A: We welcome You, O Lord.

L: Lord Jesus, Hope of the shepherds and the poor
A: We welcome You, O Lord.

L: Lord Jesus, Glory of the angels
A: We welcome You, O Lord.

L: Lord Jesus, Peace of the Magi
A: We welcome You, O Lord.

A: May the God of glory fill our hearts with peace and joy.

The evening meal is eaten.