day no. 17,242: epiphany is a reminder that Christ is King

20 ✝ C ✝ M ✝ B ✝ 26

(or the alternate keyboard strokes of 20 + C + M + B + 26)

Happy Epiphany! In reference to the symbol above, "chalking the door is" a Christian Epiphanytide tradition used to bless one's home. Either on Twelfth Night (5 January), the twelfth day of Christmastide and eve of the feast of the Epiphany, or on Epiphany Day (6 January) itself, many Christians write on their doors or lintels with chalk in a pattern such as that seen above. The numbers in this example refer to the calendar year 2026 and the crosses to Christ. The letters C, M, and B stand for the traditional names of the biblical Magi (Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar), or alternatively for the Latin blessing Christus mansionem benedicat (May Christ bless this house). The practice of "chalking the door" originated in medieval Europe, though it has spread throughout worldwide Christendom.

Romans 16:20

And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Christ is King and He has commissioned His disciples to stomp on embers of the demonic strongholds He has cast down. The Prince of Peace will conquer unrest. The grace of God will put an end to the grift of the goblins.

"As the kingdom of God grows, this is what is happening. As sin is mortified in your life, this is what is happening. “Bruise in us the serpent’s head.” As churches are planted, this is part of the glorious fulfillment. As the gospel is preached, the serpent’s skull is cracked. And this violent thing is done, remember, by the God of peace. This is what Christmas is all about. This is what it means." — Douglas Wilson. Our Mother’s Great Revenge

Epiphany a time for recognizing Christ as King. Just as the wise men traveled long and far and followed a faithful star, we too, must hear the prophets, consecrate ourselves to the journey, and seek the presence of our King. The kings of this world will bow before the King of kings. Just as the wise men offered gifts to Him, so the nations of this world will bring forth their best in hopes that Christ may bless it and retain as much of it through His refining fire as possible.