George P. Matysek Jr. reported (or reminded) at Catholic News Service.
"The blessing, popular in Poland and other Slavic countries, has spread to many parts of the world. It takes place on the liturgical feast marking the visitation of the Magi to the Christ Child and the revelation that Jesus is the son of God.
"The blessing involves taking simple chalk, usually blessed by a parish priest, and scrawling doorways with symbolic numbers and letters — this year: '20+C M B 21.'
"The numbers represent the current year and the letters stand for the first letters of the traditional names of the magi: Caspar (sometimes spelled 'Kaspar'), Melchior and Balthazar. The letters are also an abbreviation for 'Christus Mansionem Benedicat, Latin for 'May Christ bless this dwelling.'"
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