What is the Epiphany? Celebrating the Epiphany in Germany
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January 6th is celebrated as the Epiphany, but what is the Epiphany?
Before the Fourth Century, the birth of Christ, his Epiphany (which means appearance in Greek) was celebrated on January 6. The date was official shifted to Dec 25 by Pope Julius I (the date isn’t arbitrary… Mary learned she was pregnant with the Son of God on March 25, the Annunciation, and Dec 25 is 9 months later… makes sense).
In the book of Matthew, the Magi, or Wise men (sometimes called Kings) learned of Christ’s birth, then traveled from the east following a star. Today we celebrate January 6 as the day the Magi arrived at the stable in Bethlehem to bring gifts to the Christ Child. The Kings are not named, they have come to be known as Melchior, from Persia, Balthezar, an Arab Scholar and Caspar, from India. Three gifts were given; Frankincense (a perfume or incense), Myrrh (an anointing oil) and Gold. The gifts were important… these were items that were not given to an ordinary man, these are gifts for a King, and so the Wise Men acknowledged Jesus for who he was, the King of Kings.
Today, an ornate shrine, a Gold box, containing the bones of the Magi holds a place of honor in the Cologne Cathedral. Legend has it that St. Helena found them in Constantinople, and brought them home. (Maybe that’s why Germans feel so strongly about these Epiphany celebrations?) While the box isn’t very big, it is quite amazing to see.
In many areas three men, dressed as kings, will go door to door offering New Year’s blessings. The initials C + M + B along with the year are chalked above the door, or on the wall next to the door of homes. (And while C M B stand for Caspar, Melchior and Balthezar, they officially mean “Christus Mansionem Benedicat”,” May Christ Bless this House”.) Many families, like my Aunt and Uncle, have line after line of these initials chalked on their wall…slowly fading with time. It is a source of pride, and is not washed off.
In Southern Germany, and in Austria, you will also find Sternsinger (Star Singers). Children in groups of three, dress up as the Magi and sing Christmas Carols door to door. After singing, the children will write the initials on doorframe in exchange for either a donation to a charity… or for cookies.
Since the Epiphany signals the end of the Christmas Season, it is also a time from most homes to put away decorations and take down the Christmas Tree (most wait until January 7 to do this). In some communities, a huge bonfire is made out of all of the trees. Kids get to plunder the trees before the fire begins…to search for any remaining sweet treats that were used as ornaments (sometimes a few extra wrapped chocolates are hidden in the pile to make the search more fun).
Some Families also celebrate by baking and eating a Dreikonigs’ Kuchen, Three Kings’ Cake.
You can find recipes here—->Three Kings’Cake and here Three Kings’ Cake
Betty MacDonald, a very special politician and a year ago
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Betty MacDonald fan club founder Wolfgang Hampel sings 'Try to remember' especially for Betty MacDonald fan club organizer Linde Lund at Vita Magica September
Vita Magica Betty MacDonald event with Wolfgang Hampel, Thomas Bödigheimer and Friedrich von Hoheneichen
Betty MacDonald
Betty MacDonald forum
Wolfgang Hampel - Wikipedia ( Polski)
Wolfgang Hampel - LinkFang ( German )
Wolfgang Hampel - Academic ( German )
Wolfgang Hampel - cyclopaedia.net ( German )
Wolfgang Hampel - DBpedia ( English / German )
Wolfgang Hampel - people check ( English )
Wolfgang Hampel - Memim ( English )
Vashon Island - Wikipedia ( German )
Wolfgang Hampel - Monica Sone - Wikipedia ( English )
Wolfgang Hampel - Ma and Pa Kettle - Wikipedia ( English )
Wolfgang Hampel - Ma and Pa Kettle - Wikipedia ( French )
Wolfgang Hampel - Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle - Wikipedia ( English)
Wolfgang Hampel in Florida State University
Betty MacDonald fan club founder Wolfgang Hampel
Betty MacDonald fan club interviews on CD/DVD
Betty MacDonald fan club items
Betty MacDonald fan club items - comments
Betty MacDonald fan club - The Stove and I
Betty MacDonald fan club groups
Betty MacDonald fan club organizer Linde Lund
All images courtesy of Wikipedia Commons
January 6th is celebrated as the Epiphany, but what is the Epiphany?
Before the Fourth Century, the birth of Christ, his Epiphany (which means appearance in Greek) was celebrated on January 6. The date was official shifted to Dec 25 by Pope Julius I (the date isn’t arbitrary… Mary learned she was pregnant with the Son of God on March 25, the Annunciation, and Dec 25 is 9 months later… makes sense).
What is the Ephiphany?
In the book of Matthew, the Magi, or Wise men (sometimes called Kings) learned of Christ’s birth, then traveled from the east following a star. Today we celebrate January 6 as the day the Magi arrived at the stable in Bethlehem to bring gifts to the Christ Child. The Kings are not named, they have come to be known as Melchior, from Persia, Balthezar, an Arab Scholar and Caspar, from India. Three gifts were given; Frankincense (a perfume or incense), Myrrh (an anointing oil) and Gold. The gifts were important… these were items that were not given to an ordinary man, these are gifts for a King, and so the Wise Men acknowledged Jesus for who he was, the King of Kings.
Today, an ornate shrine, a Gold box, containing the bones of the Magi holds a place of honor in the Cologne Cathedral. Legend has it that St. Helena found them in Constantinople, and brought them home. (Maybe that’s why Germans feel so strongly about these Epiphany celebrations?) While the box isn’t very big, it is quite amazing to see.
Celebrating the Epiphany in Germany
Why is C + M + B chalked on Houses?
In many areas three men, dressed as kings, will go door to door offering New Year’s blessings. The initials C + M + B along with the year are chalked above the door, or on the wall next to the door of homes. (And while C M B stand for Caspar, Melchior and Balthezar, they officially mean “Christus Mansionem Benedicat”,” May Christ Bless this House”.) Many families, like my Aunt and Uncle, have line after line of these initials chalked on their wall…slowly fading with time. It is a source of pride, and is not washed off.
In Southern Germany, and in Austria, you will also find Sternsinger (Star Singers). Children in groups of three, dress up as the Magi and sing Christmas Carols door to door. After singing, the children will write the initials on doorframe in exchange for either a donation to a charity… or for cookies.
Since the Epiphany signals the end of the Christmas Season, it is also a time from most homes to put away decorations and take down the Christmas Tree (most wait until January 7 to do this). In some communities, a huge bonfire is made out of all of the trees. Kids get to plunder the trees before the fire begins…to search for any remaining sweet treats that were used as ornaments (sometimes a few extra wrapped chocolates are hidden in the pile to make the search more fun).
Some Families also celebrate by baking and eating a Dreikonigs’ Kuchen, Three Kings’ Cake.
You can find recipes here—->Three Kings’Cake and here Three Kings’ Cake
Betty MacDonald fan club founder Wolfgang Hampel sings 'Try to remember' especially for Betty MacDonald fan club organizer Linde Lund at Vita Magica September
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Vita Magica Betty MacDonald event with Wolfgang Hampel, Thomas Bödigheimer and Friedrich von Hoheneichen
Vita Magica
Betty MacDonald
Betty MacDonald fan club
Betty MacDonald fan club on Facebook
Betty MacDonald forum
Wolfgang Hampel - Wikipedia ( English )
Wolfgang Hampel - Wikipedia ( English ) - The Egg and I
Wolfgang Hampel - Wikipedia ( Polski)
Wolfgang Hampel - Wikipedia ( German )
Wolfgang Hampel - LinkFang ( German )
Wolfgang Hampel - Academic ( German )
Wolfgang Hampel - cyclopaedia.net ( German )
Wolfgang Hampel - DBpedia ( English / German )
Wolfgang Hampel - people check ( English )
Wolfgang Hampel - Memim ( English )
Vashon Island - Wikipedia ( German )
Wolfgang Hampel - Monica Sone - Wikipedia ( English )
Wolfgang Hampel - Ma and Pa Kettle - Wikipedia ( English )
Wolfgang Hampel - Ma and Pa Kettle - Wikipedia ( French )
Wolfgang Hampel - Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle - Wikipedia ( English)
Wolfgang Hampel in Florida State University
Betty MacDonald fan club founder Wolfgang Hampel
Betty MacDonald fan club interviews on CD/DVD
Betty MacDonald fan club items
Betty MacDonald fan club items - comments
Betty MacDonald fan club - The Stove and I
Betty MacDonald fan club groups
Betty MacDonald fan club organizer Linde Lund
