In one of the ancient traditions of this day, you can ask a priest to come to your home to bless it, or bless chalk for you to bless it, or even bless the chalk yourself. In this ancient ritual you write above the entrance doorpost on the inside: 20 C+M+B+24. The three letters stand for the Latin: “Christus Mansionem Benedicat – May Christ bless this home.” The legendary names of the three wise men, Casper, Melchior, and Balthasar, probably created because of the letters of the blessing. You can pray this blessing:
Loving God, Creator of the universe,
bless this holy space, and all who enter and worship here.
Fill it with hope, peace, joy, love, and the Light of Christ.
May we put on, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with and forgiving one another.
And over all these may we put on love, that is the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ rule our hearts.
Let the word of Christ dwell in us richly, with gratitude in our hearts to God.
Fill us with the light of Christ,
that our love for each other may go out to all people,
as we see the face of God in everyone, who enters here, and in all those we meet.
We ask this in the name of the Christ, the name that each of us bears, and from whose family we come, who calls us his sisters and brothers;
and who lives and loves with you and the Holy Spirit, and in us, God forever and ever.
Amen.
20 + C + M + B + 24