Heilige Drei Könige or Epiphany (English)
Heilige Drei Könige celebrates the Magi’s (or three wise men’s) visit to Jesus shortly after he was born, according to the Christian Bible. According to Christian belief, the Magi followed a bright star shining in the sky to Bethlehem and brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. It is also the end of the Christmas season. The German states of Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bavaria and Saxony-Anhalt celebrate it as a public holiday.
Some people in Germany attend a special church service on Epiphany. If the church has had a crib display during the Christmas period, the figures representing the Magi are placed in the crib on January 6. People with a crib scene at home do the same. Children learn about the story of the three wise men and may act out the whole Christmas story. Homes and stables in rural areas are cleansed by burning frankincense and allowing the smoke to spread through the rooms.
People in some areas gather on Epiphany Eve (January 5) to drink to the health and luck of family and friends in the coming year. Special beer known as Bockbier is brewed for this purpose. This type of beer has a stronger taste and a higher percentage of alcohol than other beers.
Some people in Germany attend a special church service on Epiphany. If the church has had a crib display during the Christmas period, the figures representing the Magi are placed in the crib on January 6. People with a crib scene at home do the same. Children learn about the story of the three wise men and may act out the whole Christmas story. Homes and stables in rural areas are cleansed by burning frankincense and allowing the smoke to spread through the rooms.
People in some areas gather on Epiphany Eve (January 5) to drink to the health and luck of family and friends in the coming year. Special beer known as Bockbier is brewed for this purpose. This type of beer has a stronger taste and a higher percentage of alcohol than other beers.
Sternsinger, "Star Singers", are usually groups of three children dressed as the oriental Three Kings with Balthasar carrying a large glowing five pointed star, who go door to door during the twelve Christmas days between December 25 and January 6, particularly in Catholic areas. After singing for the occupants they leave them a blessing to protect "house and home" for the coming year, and using white chalk write on door beams, or on the actual doors, the date of the current year together with the initials of the names believed to be those of the Magi: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar.
2014 is written as 20+C+M+B+14, with the crosses representing Christ. Although these letters are usually understood to represent the initials of the Three Kings, CBM also stands for a Latin phrase, Christus mansionem benedicat, may Christ bless this home.
More about Heilige Drei Könige and the Sternsinger:
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/germany/epiphany
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphany
http://www.german-way.com/history-and-culture/holidays-and-celebrations/christmas/epiphany-sternsinger/
Pages to color:
http://www.kostenlose-ausmalbilder.de/Weihnachten/Heilige-Drei-Koenige/Heilige-Drei-Koenige.html
http://www.malvorlagenwelt.com/ausmalbilder-heilige-drei-konige-malvorlagen.html
2014 is written as 20+C+M+B+14, with the crosses representing Christ. Although these letters are usually understood to represent the initials of the Three Kings, CBM also stands for a Latin phrase, Christus mansionem benedicat, may Christ bless this home.
More about Heilige Drei Könige and the Sternsinger:
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/germany/epiphany
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphany
http://www.german-way.com/history-and-culture/holidays-and-celebrations/christmas/epiphany-sternsinger/
Pages to color:
http://www.kostenlose-ausmalbilder.de/Weihnachten/Heilige-Drei-Koenige/Heilige-Drei-Koenige.html
http://www.malvorlagenwelt.com/ausmalbilder-heilige-drei-konige-malvorlagen.html
Photos used under Creative Commons from