ADVENT TIP OF THE DAY 12: Chalking, day following feast, 8 women, octave . . .

MJ. Smith

I am adding these posts to the previous tip list L/V 10 Tip of the Day 

QUESTION: What is the tradition of chalking of the doors on Epiphany?

ANSWER: from Perplexity:

Chalking the door is an Epiphany tradition practiced by many Christians to bless their homes for the coming year. This custom originated in medieval Europe and is typically performed on Epiphany (January 6) or Twelfth Night (January 5).

The tradition involves:

1. Using blessed chalk to inscribe a pattern above the main entrance of the home.

2. The pattern typically includes the current year and the letters C, M, and B, written as:

20 + C + M + B + 24 (for the year 2024)

3. The symbols represent:

The numbers: The current year

C, M, B: Either the traditional names of the Magi (Caspar, Melchior, Balthazar) or the Latin phrase "Christus mansionem benedicat" (May Christ bless this house)

Crosses: Represent Christ

4. A prayer is often said while chalking the door, asking for God's blessing on the home and its inhabitants.

This practice serves multiple purposes:

Invites Christ's presence into the home

Serves as a house blessing

Commemorates the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child

Symbolically protects the home from evil spirits

The chalk markings are typically left in place throughout the year until the next Epiphany season. This visible symbol serves as a reminder of the home's dedication to God and as a witness of faith to visitors.1

1 and and and https://episcopalnewsservice.org/2020/01/06/for-an-epiphany-blessing-chalk-the-door-with-holy-graffiti/ and and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalking_the_door https://www.saintjohnkanty.com/coming-events/the-tradition-of-chalking-the-door-on-epiphany-january-8-2023/ https://buildfaith.org/chalking-the-door/

QUESTION: In the Eastern Orthodox calendars, what is celebrated on December 26th i.e. the day after the feast of the Nativity?

ANSWER: from iconreader:

The day after every major feast in the Orthodox Church is usually dedicated to a saint who played a major “supporting role” in the events celebrated. So, the 7th of January – the day after we celebrate the baptism of Christ – is dedicated to St John the Baptizer of Christ; the day after the Annunciation is dedicated to the Archangel Gabriel; after Pentecost we celebrate the “day of the Holy Spirit”. And so, on the 26th of December we celebrate the Synaxis (Meeting) of the Mother of God.

The Greek word Synaxis is often retained in English, or else translated to “Meeting”; in Russian, the word used is sobor (Собор). In both the Greek and Russian meanings, it denotes an assembly of the faithful for liturgical, celebratory, reasons. Therefore the synaxis of the Mother of God is the celebration of Jesus’ earthly mother. It is perhaps one of the oldest feast-days dedicated solely to the Mother of God, dating from the 4th century A.D. At this time, the “twelve days of Christmas” were a general wintertime celebration of Jesus’ birth, childhood and all his life up to the point of His baptism in the River Jordan, at the age of 30, which is celebrated on the twelfth day (6th Jan). Within this context, it is fitting to celebrate also the Mother of God.

Despite the ancient precedent of the feast, icons specifically depicting the synaxis did not appear until the medieval period, presumably because more standard icons of the Mother of God would suffice for liturgical purposes. Those that survive, are usually found on the walls of churches and generally show the Mother of God seated on a throne with the Christ-infant in her lap. Around her, there is an assembly of various peoples, Saints and angels – some of which are recognizable from icons of the Nativity and the Christmas story whilst others are more mysterious. However, the hymns of the Church provide the answer, and source, of the image, in particular one section written by St. Anatolius from the Vespers (evening) service for Christmas Day:

What shall we offer Thee, O Christ, who for our sake hast appeared on earth as man? Every creature made by Thee offers Thee thanks. The angels offer Thee a hymn; the heavens a star; the Magi, gifts; the shepherds, their wonder; the earth, its cave; the wilderness, the manger: and we offer Thee a Virgin Mother. O pre-eternal God, have mercy upon us

– Stichera from “Lord I have cried…”

The angels, heavens, shepherds and magi are all easily recognizable. The two female figures – usually in the lower third of the icon – are personifications of “the earth” and “the wilderness” (or desert) carrying their respective offerings of the cave and the manger. The lady representing the earth is sometimes honored with a crown, whilst the lady representing the desert-wilderness is often surrounded by much greenery. This is to symbolize the spiritual fruitfulness of the desert. Additionally, in Russia where many of these icons originate, the wilderness would have been a place full of trees, swamps and teeming with wildlife. An 18th century Russian icon (see right) of the Synaxis shows the wilderness offering a manger and surrounded by typically Russian fir trees (full icon can be viewed here).

Finally, at the bottom of the icon is a collection of people, Saints (sometimes), clergy, monks etc. representing the whole human race who offer up: “a Virgin Mother”. What does this mean?

The feeling of motherly love is something natural to God’s creation yet it is not something possible for God to experience directly. In God’s supreme humility toward us He became human and so was able to finally experience this love from His earthly mother, Mary. Yet because this motherly affection is truly a part of creation, not the Creator, it can be said that this motherly love is humanity’s offering to God. Thus the Word of God came to earth and all creation made an offering: the angels, praise; the earth, a cave; the wilderness, a manger; the heavens, a star; and humanity – we – offered Mary, the Mother of God! By being incarnated as man on earth, God truly allowed all of us to partake in salvation and communion with God. But knowing that we truly did nothing in and of ourselves to bring about Mary’s humble acceptance and final birth-giving of God, we can only cry out: Have mercy on us!

QUESTION: What eight women prepared the way for the birth of the Messiah?

ANSWER: from Harader, Joanna, and Michelle Burkholder. Expecting Emmanuel: Eight Women Who Prepared the Way. Harrisonburg, VA: Herald Press, 2022.

Tamar

Rahab

Ruth

Bathsheba

Mary

Anna

Weeping mothers

Sophia

QUESTION: What liturgical calendar units are celebrated from Christmas eve to the end of the Christmas season?

ANSWER: from Perplexity:

The Christmas liturgical season is a rich and complex period in the Christian calendar, encompassing several distinct units that celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and its significance. Here's an overview of the key liturgical units related to Christmas and their roles:

Christmas Vigil

The Christmas Vigil, also known as Christmas Eve Mass, marks the beginning of the Christmas celebration. It typically takes place on the evening of December 24th and serves as a preparatory service for Christmas Day. This liturgy often includes readings that recount the prophecies and events leading up to Christ's birth.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day, celebrated on December 25th, is the feast of the Nativity of Jesus Christ. It is one of the most important days in the Christian calendar, commemorating the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. The liturgy on this day focuses on the Incarnation, with readings from the Gospels that narrate the birth of Christ.

Octave of Christmas

The Octave of Christmas is an eight-day period that begins on Christmas Day and ends on January 1st, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. During this octave, each day is celebrated with the same solemnity as Christmas Day itself, emphasizing the importance of the Nativity.

Twelve Days of Christmas

The Twelve Days of Christmas extend from Christmas Day to the eve of Epiphany (January 5th). This period is traditionally a time of continued celebration and reflection on the mystery of the Incarnation. Each day may have its own feast or commemoration, such as St. Stephen's Day on December 26th.

Christmas Season

The Christmas season, in the current liturgical calendar, begins with the Christmas Vigil and extends to the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which typically falls on the Sunday after Epiphany. This season is a time of joy and celebration, focusing on the themes of light, incarnation, and God's presence among us.

Candlemas

Candlemas, celebrated on February 2nd, marks the end of the extended Christmas cycle. Also known as the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, it commemorates the presentation of Jesus in the Temple 40 days after his birth, as prescribed by Jewish law. This feast has several significant aspects:

1. Light symbolism: Candlemas involves the blessing and distribution of candles, symbolizing Christ as the "light to the nations" as prophesied by Simeon.

2. Purification: It was traditionally associated with the purification of Mary after childbirth, as required by Mosaic law.

3. Encounter: In the Eastern Church, it's called Hypapante or "Meeting," referring to Jesus' encounter with Simeon and Anna in the Temple.

4. Liturgical transition: Candlemas marks the transition from the Christmas season to Ordinary Time, serving as a bridge between the joy of the Nativity and the penitential season of Lent.

The feast includes a procession with blessed candles, symbolizing the entry of Christ, the Light of the World, into the Temple. It also features the singing of the Nunc Dimittis, Simeon's canticle of praise upon seeing the infant Jesus.

These liturgical units collectively form a rich tapestry of celebration and reflection, guiding the faithful through the mysteries of Christ's birth and early life, and preparing them for the subsequent liturgical seasons. https://stmaryoldtown.org/the-chalking-of-the-doors-an-epiphany-tradition-explained/ https://onepeterfive.com/the-chalking-of-the-doors-an-epiphany-tradition-explained/

John

Where do you get blessed chalk?

MJ. Smith

If you are Orthodox or Eastern rite Catholic, your parish may supply it or you take chalk to your priest and ask that he bless it. In all other cases, you would take chalk to your pastor and ask that it be blessed. Occasionally, it there is an on church books & supplies store, it is available there.