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CF 3Kings Day 2014

Launch gallery slideshow

Group:Christian Friends - USA Only
Swap Coordinator:DixieDiane (contact)
Swap categories: Paper Goods 
Number of people in swap:6
Location:Regional - USA
Type:Type 2: Flat mail
Last day to signup/drop:December 20, 2013
Date items must be sent by:December 30, 2013
Number of swap partners:1
Description:

To celebrate, we will swap a Three Kings Card with one partner. It may be a handmade or store bought greeting/christmas card with the 3 Kings on the front of the card.......AND Inside the card list 3 things that meant the most to you during this holiday season.


In the fourth century, December 25 was finally adopted by the Western Christian Church as the date of the Feast of Christ's birth. It is believed that this change in date gave rise to the tradition of the "12 Days of Christmas." While the Western Christian Church celebrates December 25th, the Eastern Christian Church to this day recognizes January 6 as the celebration of the nativity. January 6 was also kept as the physical birthday in Bethlehem. In the Teutonic west, Epiphany became the Festival of the Three Kings (i.e. the Magi), or simply Twelfth day.

On the evening before Three Kings, traditionally there were 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, Balthasar, behütet uns auch für dieses Jahr, vor Feuer und vor Wassergefahr." ("CMB, protect us again this year from the dangers of fire and water.") C + M + B has traditionally been translated with Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar, however, according to the Church it stands for "Christus Mansionem Benedictat" (Christ bless this home).

The custom of the Star Singers, reminiscent of the travel of the Three Kings is still very much alive in Bavaria and Austria. Beginning with New Years and through January 6, children dressed as the kings, and holding up a large star, go from door to door, caroling and singing a Three Kings' song. For this they receive money or sweets. Formerly the collected donations went to unemployed craftsmen and veterans, today they go to charities of the church or the Third World.


This swap is totally sender's choice as to the type of card-handmade or a store bought christmas card.

Discussion

Swan 12/18/2013 #

Could be a card that I received for Christmas and then remake into a new card? (I guess that would be sort of half handmade?

DixieDiane 12/20/2013 #

Yes sorry with Bill in hospital I have not looked at comments

DixieDiane 12/20/2013 #

I will do partners later today-giving anyone else time to join if they would like

DixieDiane 12/20/2013 #

OOPS-I thought today was partner day-see I'm losing my mind LOL

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