Did you know that the Nativity of the Lord carries such importance within the life of the Church that it is an entire three weeks long? The feast of the Baptism of the Lord — January 9 this year — is the last day of the Christmas season. 

There are several celebrations in these three weeks, the first of which is December 26, the feast of our patron St. Stephen. Also during this time are The Feast of the Holy Family (December 30), Mary Mother of God (January 1 — also New Year's Day and the World Day of Prayer for Peace), and Epiphany (January 6 but celebrated on January 8.)

“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 are invited to mark the doorpost of their homes with an inscription of the new year separated by “C+M+B.” For instance, in 2023, the inscription is “20+C+M+B+23.” Many of you did this last year. Is the inscription still above your door? Take a look as you go out the main doors of the church; ours is still there from last year.