What is that chalk inscription above the church door mean?
The best laid plan. . . this article should have followed on from the Vicar chalking over the main church door, and even have been accompanied by a photo of him precariously balanced on a step ladder as he did it. However Covid intervened and the service was removed to the vicarage hallway. But the chalk was blessed and we were invited to provide ourselves with chalk or crayon to make our own marks over our doors.
So what is it all about?
In previous years passers-by have been bewildered by this chalking over the main door of the church which last year read 20 + C + M + B + 20 and which, from Epiphany this year (6thJanuary but we celebrate it on the nearest Sunday which is 3rd), should read
20 + C + M + B + 21
Never having done it at HPC until Jeremy arrived many of the congregation were somewhat bemused as well.
Clearly the 20 and 21 make up the year – 2021 – but what of the C M B?
Think Epiphany, think Three Wise Men, think legend rather than bible – Caspar, Melchior, Balthazar. That’s a start.
But it’s on the church door – it’s done with chalk blessed during the service – it has + between each letter.
There must be more to it.
There is. The letters stand for- Christus Mansionem Benedicat – Bless this House. Apparently done to ward off evil, I think today it has a more positive feeling, much in the same way that people sometimes ask a priest to bless their homes.
From the order of service at the Eucharist for Epiphany Jeremy’s words were:
“Peace be to this house, and to all who enter here. Amen.
The Magi,
C Caspar,
M Melchior,
B Balthasar
followed the star of God’s Son who became human
20 two thousand
21 and twenty one years ago.
++ May Christ bless our home/office/school/shed
++ and remain with us throughout the new year. Amen
“May all who come to our home this year rejoice to find Christ living among us; and in everyone we meet may we seek and serve that same Jesus who is your incarnate Word, now and forever. Amen”
After your blessing the inscription on the door should read as above
20 + C + M + B + 21
So go ahead with this delightful tradition – and bewilder your neighbours.
