In the books of St. Matthew and St. Luke in the Bible, the Christmas Story is told, of how Jesus Christ was born to Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem, in a manger. A group of angels announced the birth to some shepherds on a hillside as told in the Gospel according to St. Luke. “Fear not, for behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born today in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you. Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger”.

     Miles away, three wise men had also divined that the Son of God was to be born and they followed a star to Bethlehem, bringing with them gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The three kings were Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar.

     On January 6th, Three Kings Day is still celebrated in Germany with its own traditions, symbols and rituals. Carolers called “Sternsinger” (Star Singers) go from house to house singing Three Kings songs and reciting poems while collecting money for children in third world countries. I’ve seen these children dressed as kings in the past but I never had a visit from them in my home.  This year would be different since our landlady made it possible for me to experience this German tradition  firsthand.

     When her husband told us she had planned to have these singers visit our house, I decided to make a special occasion out of it and invite them to break bread with us while waiting for the children,  as a ritual of friendship, as in the times of Mary and Joseph. I sat the table very symbolically with a star of Bethlehem as centerpiece, served cheese on star plates and put oriental decorations on the table representing the gifts of the three kings and a king’s royalty.

     When our landlady and her husband came, she was thrilled at the sight of the table and the symbolism drew us all immediately into an indepth three kings discussion. While we waited for the Star Singers to come, we enjoyed our cheese and wine and lots of good conversation.

Then the doorbell rang and we invited the children in. There were four of them; three as kings, one of which played the black king with his face painted black, and the fourth child held the star representing the Star of Bethlehem. They all took their places in my small living room with all of us watching, then they began their song.

    When they started their song, each of them bent forward with a royal bow stating their names, “Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar”. The lyrics of the song explained the gifts they’re holding of gold, incense and myrrh. The oldest child held an incense burner which filled the room with the wonderful aroma of incense that lingered long after their visit. Their sweet song was very meaningful and the small audience of five thoroughly enjoyed the children’s efforts which touched a few of us to tears, which I noticed as I glanced around the room.

     After their song it was time to write the blessing on the house door entrance. In the past, traditionally on the night before Three Kings, there were many prayers, blessed dried herbs would be burnt and their aromatic smell would fill the house. Doorways would be sprinkled with holy water and the master of the house would write with chalk C + M + B and the year above the house and barn door and say, “Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar, protect us against fire and water damage”. However, according to the church the C + M + B stands for “Christus Mansionem Benedictat” (Christ bless this home). In our case, the oldest child did these honors while Manfred looked on.

     We gave the children some sweets and our envelope with donation for their charities and said goodbye to them. As they walked away, the star they were carrying glowed in the night as they moved on to the next house and eventually back to the church to end their day of work as three kings. This year the charitable activities of the Star Singers were especially needed with the catastrophy in South Asia, although the Star Singers collect money each and every year for poor and underpriviliged children. This is a wonderful cause involving children in western countries who are priviliged to help those in third world countries who are not, “Children helping Children”, which seems to balance out the unfairness of this world in a very small way.

www.sos-kinderdoerfer.de