20*C+M+B+15

That's the offical way to chalk it up for the thousands of children who do this wonderful tradition throughout  Germany to collect money for childrens charities around the world. In 2013 this was nearly 70 million Euros! Ca

(NB: I saw that somewhere in Germany it has become tradition for the Muslim residents to get out on the streets on New Years morning after the fireworks, to clear up the dreadful mess in the streets - Isn't that simply great)

Called Star singers here and organised jointly by the Catholic and Protestant churches. They are out & about from 26th December until 6th January.. Here an astounding bit taken from Wiki:

At a synod in Konstanz i(close to us here) at Christmas in 1417 the British clergies performed the Star boy drama for the rest of the participants at the meeting. They wore expensive costumes and had a large shining star. The performance was a huge success at the church conference and could have been one of the main reasons for growing popularity of the drama in post-medieval Europe.

And you still ask whether or not to stay in the EU. The Brits are THE EU.
Help us reform the thing and then you can come and entertain us again at Christmas 2017 to celebrate the 600th anniversary - I will wave the St George's flag, TochterPleach, St Andrew's, Just need a Welsh & N. Ireland local Bliper.

After singing some songs they write above the door in chalk the inscription shown in the title:
20 for the Century
* for star of Bethlehem
+ Three of them for the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
C M B for „Christus mansionem benedicat“ God bless this house
15 for the year
(Many think CMB refers to the 3 Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar.



In practice most of the markings stay put for 9 years, the year simply rubbed out and updated. Children of course are also rewarded in the form of chocolates - I did mention I had a bottle of Glühwein but the eldest sacristan leading the group took his responsibilities very seriously and declined.

In Bavaria you will see these chalk markings over doors all over the place from hospital wards to government buildings, cow stables to firebrigade engine garages. I thinks it's great that the children do this for children and take the great effort to dress up and regardless of wind & weather get out & about. Thank you and your helping mum who drove the camel car out to us for you to do this.

Lousy night, warm, rain and stormy. The snow is as good as gone and all the fields are a ducks paradise. Angie able to get out and ride again, the dogs able to get wonderfully muddy.

PS I have tarted up my Blog in readiness. Not happy with it yet. It's almost too complicated with all the formating functions. Colour no longer Polaroid white. I am very excited that two visitors from the USA have visited since yesterday both using Chrome and Macintosh. My initial doubts about the ethics of merging with McDonalds is now taken care of. Seems Apple are now ready to muscle in on my Blog rights. Just discovered Porsche towing brackets aren't able to cope with 2.5 tons so am lookig at Bentley and Bugatti. Surely a 1000hp motor should manage even a sturdy Ifor Williams horse trailer.