A Family Liturgy For Epiphany
This liturgy should be celebrated after the evening meal and before bedtime. Instructions will be in italic, bold text should be said / sung together, plain text should be read by one person, suggested prayers are included in the room blessing but feel free to make / use your own.
Supplies:
1. At least one candle (tealights are fine) for every room in the home. One candle for every member of the family (as age and stage permit). Electric candles can be utilized if available.
2. A large bowl of room temperature water.
3. Chalk
Preparation:
Before the liturgy safely place one or more candles (unlit) in every room. Then, just before the liturgy begins, ask the children to turn off the lights in all the rooms except for the one (often a living room or family space) where the liturgy will begin.
OPENING SONG: Walk in the Light
Hark the Herold Angels’ Sing
Jesus the Light of the World
Glory to the newborn king
Jesus the light of the world.
We’ll walk in the light
The beautiful light
Out where the dewdrops of mercy shine bright
Shine all around us by day or by night
Jesus the light of the world.
CALL TO WORSHIP
All: In the Name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen (Participants may cross themselves)
Leader: The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.
All: Jesus the light of the world.
During or after the call to worship the candle in the gathering room is lit, participants able to light their own candles may do so from the light of the first candle.
First Reading: Matthew 2:1-12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd[d] my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” 9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
CHALKING THE DOOR
Together the whole group moves to the front door where someone chalks this inscription on or above the door 20+C+M+B+22. (Feel free to turn on the lights as needed to light your way and make the chalk visible.).
Leader: Wise men from the east came to celebrate Jesus’ birth and recognize him as the one who would bring God’s blessing to every people, language, and nation. We’re marking our door with the initials of the wise men, but in this context it stands for an ancient prayer, Christus mansionem benedicat, which means Christ (Jesus) bless this home.
As we invite Jesus to bless our home, let’s pray in the words he gave us.
All: Our Father in heaven…
The whole family returns to the gathering room.
Second Reading: John 1:1-5
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
BLESSING OVER THE WATER
Leader: Light of the World, your Holy Spirit hovered over the deep in creation. Bless this water that we’ve set aside for you. Let it be a sign of your presence, a reminder of our baptism, and a symbol of your holy presence in every place where it is sprinkled.
All: Amen!
Each person blesses themselves with the water by putting their hands in the bowl and tracing the sign of the cross on their forehead.
BLESSING THE HOME
Carrying candles, the whole group moves from one room to the next. While walking the group sings the chorus of Jesus the Light of the World, Joy to the World, Shine Jesus Shine, or some other chorus that is simple and thematically appropriate.
In each room the group lights the candle, symbolizing the light of the world in that space, and offers prayers and blessings for the people, activities, and relationships that happen in that space. As prayers are made, family members are encouraged to dip their hands (or a paintbrush) into the water and sprinkle it throughout the space. When the prayers are finished the group moves to the next room, singing, repeating the process until every room has a (safely lit)[1] candle inside.
SUGGESTED PRAYERS
For a Bedroom:
Lord let this space be a place of rest and safety. Speak to those who sleep here in their dreams. (If this is a shared space) Protect and guard the trust and connection of those who share this space. Keep strife, bitterness, envy, rivalry, anxiety, and fears at bay. Grant your angels charge over those who sleep in this place, for the sake of your name.
For a Bathroom:
Lord, shower this place with your grace and let it be a place where health is restored, where the weights and concerns of the outside world are washed away, and where we attend to our physical needs without fear, shame, or anxiety.
In Front of a Mirror:
Lord, sanctify this place with your spirit and drive away all distortions of body, heart, or mind that would seek to undermine those who use this mirror. Let those who look here see an accurate reflection, anchored in your grace and truth. Strengthen those who use this mirror to offer themselves to your service and to love our neighbors secure in your love, acceptance, and mercy.
In a Hallway
Lord be with us in our comings and goings. Remind us as we walk these hallways that everywhere we go, you go with us.
In a Dining Room or Kitchen
Lord, you often revealed yourself in the midst of meals. As we prepare and enjoy food together move our hearts to expect you to be in our midst. Give us grace for the work and daily chores associated with meals. Enliven our conversation. Help us to talk at this table / kitchen about the things that really matter. Use the food prepared here to be a blessing to our neighbors, especially those who are in need and those who are alone.
In a Living Room or Family Gathering Space
Lord Jesus, you said that where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of you. Grant us the grace to steward this space in such a way that we are constantly aware of your presence with us. Help us to steward this space for relationship building, rest, and meaningful conversation.
CLOSING SONG Joy to the World
Joy to the world
The Lord is born
Let earth receive her king
Let every heart prepare him room
And heaven and nature sing (3x).
Joy to the world
The savior reigns
Let us our songs employ
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy (3x).
No more let sin
Or sorrows grow
Nor thorns infest the ground
He comes to make his blessings flow
Far as the curse is found (3x).
He rules the world
With truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness
And wonders of his love (3x).
After the final song children (supervised) may go and switch on the lights, blowing out the candles.
DEBRIEF
For kids who can focus and reflect on this liturgy.
- What part of tonight’s prayer did you most enjoy / remember?
- What feelings or thoughts did tonight’s prayer bring up for you?
- What’s one thing you’d like to remember?
[1] Feel free to improvise with nightlights, flashlights, or even lamps and overhead lights. Safety and age appropriate engagement is what we’re going for.