“Chalking the door” is a sign and symbol of asking God’s blessing upon those who live, work, or visit throughout the coming year. In Exodus, the Israelites marked their doors with blood so that the Lord would pass over their homes; but in this service, we mark our doors with chalk as a sign that we have invited God’s presence and blessing into our homes.In Deuteronomy 6:9 God tells the people of Israel: “These words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house… You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Chalking the door is a tangible way to honor God in our lives.

1. Using the blessed chalk (which we provided last weekend), write on the outside of your house or inside above the front main entrance, above or next to an entrance: 20 + C + M + B + 24.

2. Pray: “Lord God of heaven and earth, you revealed your only begotten Son to every nation by the guidance of a star. Bless this house and all who live here and all who visit. May we be blessed with health, kindness of heart, gentleness and the keeping of your law. Fill us with the light of Christ, that our love for each other may go out to all. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

The letters C, M, B come from the traditional names for the three kings: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. It is also an abbreviation for  “Christus Mansionem Benedicat” which means, “May Christ bless this dwelling!” The first and last numbers simply refer to the current year.

Another beautiful tradition this time of the year is the “Rosca de Reyes”, a traditional Mexican bread adorned with dried and candied fruits symbolizing the crowns of the kings, and baked in the form of a ring representing the Wise Men’s search for the King of the Jews. It is believed that Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar traveled to Jerusalem following a star, and the day when they found the Baby Jesus (known as Epiphany) is precisely the event represented by the “Rosca de Reyes”.

This Sunday, January 7 at the 1230PM Spanish Mass, we will provide pre-cut “rosca” at the plaza to be distributed to the families attending the Mass. And we know the drill … whoever gets the baby Jesus figurines will be the godfather or godmother, and set to host the Candlemas family fellowship on February 2, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord!