Catholic thing above doors? (written in chalk)?

On January 6, the 12th day of Christmas, the Church celebrates the Feast of Epiphany, the Magi's visit to the infant Jesus.

The most imporant thing about the Magi is that they represented the non-Jewish world and were the first sign that Jesus came for all of humanity and not just the Jews.

On Epiphany, in provate homes, prayers of blessing are prayed then, over the inside of your front door, chalk is used to write the initials of the three Wise Men connected with Crosses. Then the year is written, breaking up the century and the millennium and century from the decade and year so that they fall on both sides of the initials. It should look like this:

20 C+M+B 11

20 = The millennium and century

C = Caspar

+ = The Cross of Christ

M = Melchior

+ = The Cross of Christ

B = Balthasar

05 = The decade and year

By a happy coincidence, the Magi's initials also stand for "Christus mansionem benedicat" which is Latin for "Christ bless this house".

Here are a couple of nice articles on the Names of the Magi:

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09527a.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Wise_Men#Names

Were the magi from China? http://www.usatoday.com/yourlife/mind-soul/spiritu...

With love in Christ.

Catholic Doors

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RE:

Catholic thing above doors? (written in chalk)?

We visited someone tonight who had something written in chalk above or below a cross it was like 20+M+12+C+B? something like that? Anyways what is that all about? Made me think it maybe like what a mezuzah is for me.

It's a little early to write that. It's a blessing for new year, that's supposed to be written on the ephinpy. (7 Jan)

20+M+B+C+12 is

2012 is the year. Melchoir, Balthazar and Casper are the traditional names of the Three kings who visited baby Jesus.

I don't think it has much to do with the mezuzah.

On Christmas, we get blessed Chalk and Frankincense (one of the Gifts given to Jesus).

It should be 20+c+b+m+10. Put the numbers together and you'll find the current year, 2010. The letters stand for the traditional names of the three wise men who found the Christ child: Casper, Balthazar, and Melchior. It's a traditional form of house blessing.

It's a blessing for Epiphany, and an C, M, B, which are the first letters of the names of the 3 Magi (according to Catholic tradition). Here's some more information on it: http://www.ecatholic2000.com/pray/prayer41.shtml

I believe its a Catholic Blessing, i've seen it on some doors. Its similar to mezuzot, from what I understand, but it is not as common.

it might not be a religious thing, I'm a cradle Catholic and I've never heard of that

The 20 mm+ 12 Caliber+boom

http://www.fisheaters.com/customschristmas9.html