The feast is Epiphany, the day the Magi from the East arrived in Bethlehem with gold, frankincense and myrrh. It celebrates Christ being revealed to the whole world, not only to Israel.
Historical Context
Tradition names the Magi Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar, though Matthew gives no names and no number. Their initials became part of an Epiphany custom: marking the year and the letters C+M+B over the front door in blessed chalk. The letters also stand for Christus mansionem benedicat, “May Christ bless this house.”
A Three Kings Day Prayer
Lord, you led the wise men by a star to find your Son.
Lead our family to him this year.
Like them, let us bring him our best:
our gold, our worship, and our sorrows too.
And when we have found him, send us home by another way,
changed.
Amen.
The Epiphany Chalk Blessing
Over the main door, write the year split around the initials:
20 + C + M + B + 26
May Christ bless this house and all who live here and visit,
throughout this year.
Let it be a place of welcome, peace and prayer.
Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar, who found Christ in a house in Bethlehem,
pray for us.
Amen.
A Family Prayer Before the Rosca
Lord, bless this bread and this family.
Whoever finds the Child today, let us all find him this year.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer
- On the morning of 6 January, before the gifts.
- When blessing the house with chalk during the Epiphany season.
- Before cutting the rosca de reyes.
- On Candlemas, 2 February, at the tamales party.
Scripture Connection
“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” — Matthew 2:11
The Magi found Jesus in a house, not a palace. The chalk blessing makes the same point: Christ is to be found, and welcomed, in ordinary homes like ours.
Related prayers
For Christmas itself, see the Christmas Night Prayer. For a home blessing, the Kitchen Prayer, and for the year ahead, the Prayer for a Better Tomorrow.