Traditionally, the feast of the Epiphany is celebrated on January 6. However, in the United States, it is celebrated on the Sunday between January 2 and January 8th -probably to make sure as many American Catholics as possible can make it to mass on that day.
So that means it’s this Sunday, ya’ll. It sort of feels like a big rush through the Christmas Season, doesn’t it?
In my domestic church, we have been getting ready for Epiphany ever since we put out the Christmas Decorations. I have a very old nativity set that used to belong to my folks when I was a little girl. It is in remarkably good shape and we keep adding to it every year. When the creche goes out, however, the wise men and their caravan are not with them. Instead, they start in one corner of the dining room and work their way around the house until they arrive to see baby Jesus on Epiphany.
When Rosie was little, she would hide one of the wise men (we call them the wise guys for fun). When she would hear me lamenting about where the missing wise guy could be, she would run and get him and then proclaim, “I found him mama, I got the wise guy!”
Each one of our wise men has his own camel. Additionally, we have an elephant following them around too.
The tradition of the Magi!
According to the Venerable Bede, the three magi represent the three ages of men and the three races descended from Noah’s sons (Sem, Ham, and Japheth).
The youngest, Caspar, is usually portrayed as a beardless youth. He brings Frankincense.
Melchoir is elderly and descended from Sem. He brings gold.
Balthasar is usually portrayed in the prime of his life, black and bearded. he descended from Japeth and brought the gift of myrrh.
The magi started their journey in Persia and followed the star to Bethlehem. Traditionally they are also pictured wearing Persian garb. Interestingly, when Persia conquered the holy lands in the 600s, they destroyed most of the churches and basilicas. However, The Church of the Nativity was spared because the Persians recognized the Magi in their traditional garb and saw how venerated and respected they were in that place.
Tradition says that the three wise men were baptized by St. Thomas and were all later martyred for the faith.
How to Celebrate:
You can do this on Sunday, the day the church is celebrating Epiphany, or you can wait until January 6, the traditional day. Or you can do both.
The big highlight of Epiphany in the Domestic Church is the blessing of the home! I have my home and the home we own that my son and granddaughter live in, so we might do them both on Sunday.
Get some blessed chalk. It’s just regular chalk that you have asked your priest to bless. It doesn’t matter what color the chalk is. In fact, on some doors the brigher the chalk the better. Chalk is a substance that’s kind of flaky and earthy and it is another reminder that we are dust, and unto dust we shall return.
Here’s the blessing that the priest says, just in case he doesn’t know it.
Bless, + O Lord God, this creature chalk to render it helpful to men. Grant that they who use it in faith and with it inscribe upon the entrance of their homes the names of thy saints, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar, may through their merits and intercession enjoy health of body and protection of soul. Through Christ our Lord.
Roman Ritual: Volume III, The Blessings by Philip T. Weller, The Bruce Publishing Company, 1952
3. While you’re getting the chalk blessed, better get some holy water at church too. Just a clean bottle will do.
4. After eating dinner and sharing time together, go together as a family sprinkling each room of the house with holy water.
5. It’s fun to sing We Three Kings while you’re doing this, but not necessary.
6. At the end of the procession, the father or other grown up writes over the door or on the side
20 + C + B + M + 22
C+B+M stand for the initials of the three wise men, Caspar, Melchoir, and Balthasar.
7. Here’s the blessing to say before writing with chalk.
BLESSINGS OF HOMES ON EPIPHANY V. Peace be to this house R. And to all that dwell here.
Antiphon: From the East, the Magi came to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures, they found costly gifts; gold to the great King, incense to the true God, and myrrh in symbol of his burial. Alleluia.
Read the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) out loud. The home is sprinkled with holy water and following The Magnificat the antiphon is repeated. Then the Our Father is said with this addition.
V. And lead us not into temptation. R. But deliver us from evil. V. Many shall come from Saba. R. Bearing gold and incense. V. O Lord, hear my prayer. R. And let my cry come unto thee. V. The Lord be with you. R. And with they spirit. Let us spray. O God, Who by the guidance of a star didst this day reveal thy Sole-Begotten Son to the Gentiles, grant that we who now know thee by faith may be brought to the contemplation of thy heavenly majesty. Through the same Jesus Christ thy Son, our Lord Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen
Responsory: Be enlightened and shine forth, O Jerusalem, for thy light is come, and upon thee is risen glory of the Lord, Jesus Christ born of the Virgin Mary.
V. Nations shall walk in thy light, and kings in the splendor of thy birth.
R. And the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. Let us pray. Bless O Lord, almighty God, this home that it be the shelter of health, chastity, self-conquest, humility, goodness, mildness obedience to the commandments, and thanksgiving to God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. May blessing remain for all time upon this dwelling and them that live herein. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Today is also another good day to enjoy some king cake!
Gifts of the Magi: Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh (Gifts of the Magi) is a good little book to have for Epiphany. This little set comes with a book about the Magi and goes over the origins of gold, frankincense and myrrh. It talks in depth about the uses and history of each and how they fit into the Christmas story. On the side they have little samples of gold, frankincense and myrrh for children to touch, see and smell. Highly recommended!
