Gena: The Three Wise Men (Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar) have been to such a home. They're children (Catholic Youth) in costume. They come to "bless" the house, drink a bit of hot cocoa and have some pastries, also to collect a person's donation to the Catholic charity. The marks above the door are C+M+B-- (then the date they were there). It's an OLD tradition. Dave Ross Denver

Thanks, Dave. What a wonderful story! Thank you for sharing this explanation. I can officially say I've learned my something new for the day! Gena Schmear > The Three Wise Men (Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar) have been to such > a home.

The C+M+B also stands for the Latin sentence "Christus mansionem benedicat". "Christ bless this house." Anita Bavaria -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht----- Von: <[email protected]> An: <[email protected]> Gesendet: Montag, 11. Dezember 2000 01:33 Betreff: Re: [GERMAN-LIFE] Chalk marks above doors? > Gena: The Three Wise Men (Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar) have been to such > a home. They're children (Catholic Youth) in costume. They come to "bless" > the house, drink a bit of hot cocoa and have some pastries, also to collect a > person's donation to the Catholic charity. The marks above the door are > C+M+B-- (then the date they were there). It's an OLD tradition. > > Dave Ross > Denver >