weekly photo challenge: warmth

location: marienplatz, munich, germany
 
while in munich, germany last summer, i noticed this strange inscription on the door of the church in marienplatz. i later found out that it was a remnant from the past observance of the feast of epiphany or three kings day as it’s known in the united states. occurring on jan. 6, the 12th day after christmas, it commemorates the visit of the three magi to bethlehem during the birth of jesus.

on this christian holiday, chalks are blessed in the church and given to the faithfuls who use them for marking their homes with a reminder of god’s blessings.

the markings 20 + C + M + B + 14 mean as follow:

the numbers 20 and 14 represent the current year
the letters C, M, and B represent the initials of the magi: caspar, melchior, and balthazar or the abbreviation for the latin words christus, mansionem benedicat (christ bless this house)

i haven’t seen this tradition practiced outside of bavaria, but it surely adds warmth to the heart of whoever reads it. happy holidays!

Related articles

• weekly photo challenge: warmth (dailypost.wordpress.com)
• weekly photo challenge: warmth (asawyersdaughter.com)
• weekly photo challenge: warmth (shootngo.wordpress.com)
• weekly photo challenge: warmth (vidpphotochallenge.wordpress.com)
• weekly photo challenge: warmth (hereandthere5.wordpress.com)
• weekly photo challenge: warmth (drieskewrites.wordpress.com)
• weekly photo challenge: warmth (mirthandmotivation.com)
• weekly photo challenge: warmth (newenglandgardenandthread.wordpress.com)
• weekly photo challenge: warmth (vernetteoutloud.wordpress.com)
• weekly photo challenge: warmth (sonyavdg.wordpress.com)