Author: thehomelyhours

Family Prayer and the BCP, Part 1

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Dcn. Isaac Chavez, of Christ the King Anglican Church, graciously answered our questions for a two part series on Family Prayer in the Book of Common Prayer (found after the Catechism, on page 593 of the REC Prayer Book). Dcn. Isaac is married to Sarah and has four children. He was ordained as deacon in the Reformed Episcopal Church in June, 2015 When Cranmer wrote the Book of Common Prayer, how do you think he envisioned families using it in daily life?  Cranmer, and many of the other English Reformers, believed that one of the problems that had occurred during the High Middle Ages was that the spiritual life of the Church had been cut off from the common lay person. They believed this had manifested itself in many ways, but one way that the English Reformers uniquely singled out, was the actual prayer life of the Church. Cranmer basically asked this question: “Why should the Daily Hours and the rich prayer life of the monasteries be kept only within the walls of the monasteries?” …

Epiphany Chalking of the Doors

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Fr. Wayne McNamara, priest of Christ the King Anglican Church,  wrote the following introduction to the “Chalking of the Doors” tradition. A booklet along with blessed chalk is handed out to the members of our congregation every year before Epiphany. The chalking of the Door is typically done on January 6th on the Feast of the Epiphany and celebrates the revealing of Christ to the world in three events: The visit of the Magi when Jesus is revealed  to the Gentles, the baptism of Christ by John, and the changing of water to wine at the Cana wedding. God revealed Himself to us and dwells with us and we desire the life in our homes to reveal Christ to others. This short liturgy is a way of yearly marking our homes, usually at the front or main entrance, with sacred signs and symbols to intentionally 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 …

Celebrating Christmastide: The 12 Days of Christmas

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We are finally here: the waiting is over, our Savior has come, and we celebrate!  The season of Christmastide gives us 12 days in which to fully feast and remember the King’s birth. Here are a few suggestions for various activities and the significance of each day during Christmastide, from Full Homely Divinity. One idea is to share the true meaning of the 12 days of Christmas with friends and family.  Did you know that in 16th century England, the song was used to teach children their Roman Catholic catechism in code?  Read more about that history here. I designed these 12 Days of Christmas Cards with these things in mind.  Use them to color yourself, or have your children color them to send to friends and family this Christmas season.  You could also make them into ornaments to add to your tree. Merry Christmas, from all of us at The Homely Hours.