Hallo!
Haben Sie gemerkt dass die deutschen Wörter Heute in Grün sind? I thought it might make it more interesting. Na gut, I admit it, ich habe die Farbe geändert because even though it’s only January, I am already yearning for the colors of Frühling.
Ach ja! Speaking of January… that time of year when all those holiday decorations are being packed away, stashed away to forgotten corners somewhere around the house. You must be thinking, “the holidays are over, Gott sei Dank” My thoughts exactly! Actually, in Germany and other parts of Europe, the celebration of Christmas does not end until the twelfth day after Christmas — January 6th. So yes, there is one more holiday custom I want to tell you about — keine Angst! This one does not require decorations. All you need is… a piece of chalk.
Am sechsten Januar (Gestern), it is a catholic custom to celebrate die Heilige drei Könige, or as we call it — Epiphany. It used to be the celebration of Christ’s birth, that is, until the Roman church changed the date to December 25 — Christmas.
“Warum brauche ich einen stück Kreide?” Fragen Sie. If you lived in Germany, you would need the chalk to make an inscription above your front door. “Why?” Well, because it is believed that the inscription C+M+B+ (the year) will protect your home. Sehr interessant, aber was hat dass mit den Heilige Drei Könige zu tun?
Traditionally, on the eve of Epiphany, people prayed and burned blessed dried herbs to fill the house with the scent. All doorways were sprinkled with holy water. Someone, usually the master of the house, would then write the initials C+M+B and the year above the front door and say,“Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar, behütet uns auch für dieses Jahr, vor Feuer und vor Wasser.”
Aber Achtung! Even though you might think the letters represent the initials of the three wise men; it is not so! Historically, the three letters come from the Latin phrase “Christus mansionem benedictact,” which stands for “Christ bless this home.” It is believed that many people, who still practice this custom today, are not aware of this fact. Did you know? Ich wusste dass auf jeden Fall nicht. I have seen these inscriptions on older homes, especially old farmhouses, but when I asked my friends about them, they didn’t know what they meant either!
Ich wünsche Ihnen einen angenehmen Tag.
Tschüss,
Nathalie
Comments:
Bonny:
Hallo Nathalie!
Ich wollte mal kurz einen Kommentar hinterlassen. Es ist nur seit etwa anderthalb Monaten das ich deinen Blog entdeckt habe (durch einen Link bei Transparent Language.) Seitdem aber lese ich treu jedes mal du was neues schreibst.
Früher als Kind habe ich einige Jahre in Nord Deutschland gewohnt, bevor mein Vater uns wieder nach Kanada brachte. Ich hatte mein Deutsch fast ganz vergessen, aber langsam kommt es doch zurück und ich lerne immer was neues dazu.
Deine Erklärung heute von den drei Königen war sehr interessant. Ich wußte auch nicht was die Buchstaben ursprünglich bedeuteten! Siehst du, ich sags ja, man lernt jeden Tag was neues!!!
Ich wünsche dir ein gutes und freudiges Neues Jahr!
Liebe Grüße von der West Küste Kanadas,
Bonny
tea:
Hallo Natalie, Dass finde Ich sehr interessant! Ich habe dass in Deutschland vorher gesehen und war mit die Kreidebuchstabschen bekannt, wusste aber nicht dass es auch Chistus Mansionem Benedictat bedeuten kann. Vielen dank aus Norwegen.
diana munzer:
vielen dank fur the Deutsche Blog. Heute habe ich vier worte learned. Gemerkt, Geandert behultet und Fall. Langsam aber gut.
diana
Tom Leech:
Hi, Nathalie,
die deutschen Woerter, not die deutsche Woerter!
Gruss,
Tom
Dawn Katte:
Hello!
I am from the US. I was reading your blog and enjoying learning the different customs in Germany. Three of my four Grandparents were from Germany (well, they were first generation American so their parents were from Germany). I am very curious about my families history so thank you sincerely for your blog. I was hoping to read some of the comments but of course they are in German (which thanks to you I am bit by bit learning!).
Again, thank you for your interesting blog.
Dawn
Nathalie:
Oops! Thanks Tom. I appreciate your input.
Nathalie:
I want to thank all of you for the positive comments, constructive input, and interesting stories you have shared with me so far; I enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing the posts!
It’s great to hear about what ties YOU to the German language, whether it is through family, or simply because you have an interest in learning the language.
Please be sure to check-out the new features on the blog page; they are helpful tools that should keep you motivated.
Bis bald…