Sternsinger 20*C+M+B+19

I won't bother going into too much detail again on this wonderful German tradition, since 1959. To save repeating myself, last year's Blip covers much of it. I will, however, use a typical Great Britain superlative as I suspect 99% of new readers will not know of its British origins.

It is the LARGEST solidarity action by children for children in the whole wide world. Bet that got you Brits awake - a bit of a challenge? Read last year's Blip first before going into attack mode. You can bask in the Glory of having done it first.

I posted a not very good but nonetheless very charming video on Facebook (public) of the group reciting their texts perfectly despite the irritation caused by Luna and the falling snow. We were actually the very first house visited, the adult group leader who accompanies them making the extra effort to drive out to us. Thank you all so much.
 
I have checked and think even non-Facebook users (MissWinterFinch!) can access the video with a little bit of clicking on the video when it appears and simply ignoring FBs request for you to register. In case you can't access the Facebook video here the  text I wrote which probably repeats much of last year's Blip:

"Why Bavaria is the best place on Earth to live and why I, an immigrant here, feel very welcome.

This is one of the groups in our parish who along with over 300,000 others throughout Germany, go from door to door to bless the houses and buildings for the coming year.

Since 1959 this Catholic Church organised event takes place between Christmas and Epiphany, 6th January. They have collected over €1 billion for overseas children worldwide. This year, the collection is aimed at disabled children in Peru. Children of all denominations can take part. Here the English language link to the organisation's webpage.

Children helping children they will almost certainly never see, meet or be able to talk to. Yet they do it with pleasure and honour. Building bridges where we adults are putting up walls and closing down borders. A lesson for us "grown-ups".

As a visitor to Germany, you may see the chalk signage 20*C+M+B+19 above doors in various unexpected places such as airports, hospitals, government buildings and on many houses. The two sets of numbers stand for the year, the star of Bethlehem, the three + for the three signs of the cross and CMB doesn't stand for Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar but "Christus Mansionem Benedicat“ - "Christ bless this House."

And the issue of "Black facing" is not an issue here. It is not mandatory, but it celebrates the original Holy Three Kings idea with them individually representing Africa, Asia and Europe,  recognising through the birth of Christ, God became visible to all mankind.

Our heartfelt thanks for our local group taking the trouble to come out to our house especially by car and wait while we organised ourselves. If I had been better prepared I would have made a better video! You did a great job despite our "Border" Collie, Luna trying to distract you!"