Redeemer Lutheran Church, DeSoto, MO

“The splendor of the LORD is over earth and heaven.” Ps. 148:13

Dear Redeemer Family:

Merry Christmas! By the time you receive this, we should be well into Christmastime. But then, the Season of Christmas only lasts for 12 days (remember the Christmas Carol?). It is a short season, but it is building to a greater season, the Season of Epiphany. Indeed, traditionally Christmas is considered a Minor Festival of the Church. But the Day of Epiphany is considered one of the three Major Church Festivals. The other two Major Festivals, or Feasts are: the Day of Easter (of course) and the Day of Pentecost. The Season of Epiphany can last between 6 and 8 weeks, depending upon the layout of the Church Calendar for the given year, quite a bit longer than the Season of Christmas.

Which brings us to the Epiphany tradition of Chalking of the Doors. Several have asked me to remind them about this lately. So, here we go. The Day of Epiphany, which is also known by other names: Twelfth Night (remember the 12 Days of Christmas again, or think of the title of Shakespeare’s play), rarely as Theophany, or sometimes as Three Kings Day, marks the occasion of a time-honored Christian tradition of “chalking the doors.” The formula for the ritual — adapted for 2024 — is simple: take chalk preferably white and write the following above the entrance of your home: 20 + C + M + B + 24. This is usually done on the Day of Epiphany or close to it.

The letters have two meanings. First, they represent the initials of the three Magi — Caspar (although in some traditions he is named Gaspar – but then the Latin wouldn’t work), Malchior, and Balthazar — who came to visit Jesus in His first home. They also abbreviate the Latin phrase, Christus mansionem benedicat: “May Christ bless the house.” The “+” signs represent the cross, and the “20” at the beginning and the “24” at the end mark the year. Taken together, this inscription is performed as a request for Christ to bless those homes so marked and that He stay with those who dwell therein throughout the entire year.

The chalking of the doors is a centuries-old practice throughout the world, though it appears to be somewhat less well-known in the United States. It is, however, an easy tradition to adopt, and a great practice whereby we dedicate our year to God from its very outset, asking His blessing on our homes and on all who live, work, or visit them there.

And so, I wish you a blessed Epiphany and the rest of the year. May God be with you!

In Christ,

Pastor Rose

“Let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.” Psalm 80:7

Dear Redeemer Family:

It’s hard to believe, but we are already in December! And you know what that means? That’s right, Advent. I know some of you were thinking Christmas. Well sorry. The Season of Christmas only has 12 days in it. Remember the song. Meanwhile, Advent is four weeks long, more than twice as long as Christmas. The image of December, then quite rightly is not the Christmas tree but the Advent wreath. And that is indeed appropriate. Every step in Advent is preparing us for Christmas. And, if you know your traditions, often the Christmas tree wasn’t even put up until Christmas Eve. That’s December 24th, the month is almost over by then. Advent prepares us for Christmas as we come nearer and nearer. We sing all the more loudly, week after week, “O Come, O come, Emmanuel.” As Our Lord’s Advent approaches daily through the month.

The four candles of the Advent wreath prepare us, as we light a new one every week. And each of them represents a different theme as Christmas approaches.

The first candle is the Candle of Hope. It is also called the Prophecy Candle. It is lit to tell us that the birth of the Savior is near. That he will bring our salvation. And that he is to be God Among Us, Emmanuel. That means that we will indeed need time to prepare for his arrival. We receive a king.
The second candle is the Candle of Peace. It is also sometimes called the Bethlehem Candle. But with the Lord’s coming, he is to bring peace to the earth. Indeed, it is a peace which the world cannot give. And, as always, it is a peace which our world so desperately needs.

The third candle is different. All of the candles of Advent are purple (or they can be blue). But this candle is not. It is a rose-colored candle. This is the Candle of Joy. It is also sometimes called the Shepherd’s Candle. And with it, we prepare for the coming of the joy of Christ’s presences among us. That is also why “Joy to the World” is both an Advent and a Christmas hymn.

And the fourth candle is the Candle of Love. For with its lighting, we prepare to receive God’s love in the coming of His Son. It is also referred to as the Angel’s Candle for that is what the angels announce at Christmas. That fits well this year especially, as the Fourth Sunday of Advent also falls on Christmas Eve.
The candles of the Advent prepare us for the coming blessed event of Christmas. Watch as they are lit, and their message enlightens the world.

In Christ,
Pastor Rose