In the meantime, I want to tell you a little about the visitors who came to our door today. Mid morning today, the doorbell rang and when I answered there were costumed kids and an adult who started reciting a story, then singing, and waving incense into the house. This yearly, blessing of the home, is a sweet tradition that happens every year in the days around Epiphany (Jan 6, the 12th day of Christmas). The kids are dressed as the three kings, or wise men. and the blessing includes putting the letters CMB (for Christus Mansionem Benidicat, meaning Jesus bless this house) and the year above the door. This used to be written in chalk, but has been on a sticker the last three year. In return, a donation is made by us homeowners to the special collection for the year (this year it is for the Philippines).
One thing that feel very strange from the American perspective is the portrayal of one of the kings as black by using "black face." Once we had a group which included a black child portraying a king, but otherwise, one always has on black face paint. This is quite clearly not meant to be, or views as, racist or offensive in this context in this culture, but boy does it feel odd to us. I was not sure how to politely interrupt the singing and reciting to ask if it was okay to take a photo of the group today (always four, the three wise men and a shepherd), but here are a couple of photos from online that are very representative.
While talking about how odd it felt (and explaining what black face means in US culture to the kids, who have not grown up seeing that to know it has nay connotation beyond the three king'S costume), one of our favourite David Sedaris skits came to mind, so we listened to it over lunch and had a god laugh. it is not about Germany at all, rather about Holland, but it IS hysterical, I hope you take the time to listen and enjoy it as much as we did.
Have a good weekend, and all of you in the deep freeze in the US and Canada, please stay safe and warm.
--Hadley
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