Chalking the door is a fun Epiphany tradition we’ve done as a community the past few years.
The chalking of the door is typically done on or around January 6th, the Feast of the Epiphany.
Epiphany (which means “revealing”) commemorates the Magi who came from the four corners of the world bearing gifts and following a star to meet the child who would become king. We celebrate Epiphany to remember that we too are invited to come and witness the life of Jesus and be blessed as we begin a new year.
“Chalking the door” is a centuries-old way to celebrate and to (literally) mark the occasion of the Epiphany with God’s blessing of our lives and homes with sacred signs and symbols to set our homes apart as places of Christian hospitality, as safe and peaceful outposts of the Kingdom of God in the world, as habitations of healing and rest. We again invite God’s presence into our homes and ask His blessing upon all those who live, work, or visit throughout the coming year.
Each year, using blessed chalk, people mark the doorpost of their home with an inscription of the new year separated by C+M+B. For instance, in 2023, the inscription is 20+C+M+B+23.
Why C+M+B? It stands for the Latin words Christus Mansionem Benedictat, which means “May Christ bless this house.” The letters can also stand for the traditional names of the Magi who visited Christ: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar.
Chalk is used in this tradition because it is an ordinary substance of the earth, “dust” put to holy use. It reminds us that we are of the dust of the ground, the most ordinary of substances, and yet are fashioned as holy beings for holy purposes. Chalk will not permanently mark the dwelling. Weather will likely cause the marking to fade over time, but each time we view the inscription upon entering our homes we will remember the reason for it and rededicate ourselves to that purpose.
Blessed chalk will be available on Sunday, January 1 and at our worship gathering (609 E 29th St), and for a couple Sundays afterward, too.
Download the prayer liturgy below to chalk your home this Epiphany:
When do we chalk the door for 2023? What are the symbols?
Hi Gail – I just edited this article with all the info to chalk your door this year! (20 + C + M + B + 23) Let me know if you have any further questions.
Thank you!!!
If I blessed my home last year do I erase the 22 and add the 23 or just mark over it? Do a different door?
We typically trace over the whole thing, and just erase and add the new year. Doing a new color is fun idea, too!
Does it matter if you chalk the outside or inside of the door?
No, either is fine, and some people do both!
I can’t find my blessed chalk. What do I do?
It’s fine to use any chalk if you can’t procure blessed chalk. 🙂
We’ve been doing this each year for many years now, but we got to wondering about the origins of the tradition. Everything I read says “this is a centuries old tradition”…but we’re wondering if anyone knows where it started or who actually started this tradition. Thanks for any input!
I’m not sure about the history. I’ve only seen mentions that it “goes back to the middle ages” but I don’t know what sources there are on it.
How long do you keep the chalk message on the door?
We leave it up all year! Depending on the location of the markings, often weather wears them away, which is fine. We just let nature take its course over the course of the year, and mark it again in the new year.
I didn’t know about this. I would’ve love to start this tradition. Is it to late for me to write the chalk on the door?
No “statute of limitations” on this – go ahead and bless your house whenever it’s convenient!
hi ~ can i chalk my doors anytime? i missed it on Epiphany.
thanks!
~ Lisa
Yep! Any time is a good time for a blessing. 🙂