Digits followed by C+M+B and another two digits by a front door?

[WashAsDelicates]

These have appeared on a few houses in the area in recent years. Someone told me that it's a Christian way of blessing the house.

Is this true?

It's something to do with the Epiphany I think - the letters are the initials of the three wise men and numbers are the year. You're right that it's a blessing

Yes, it marks epiphany, when the Magi visited Jesus as a baby. It’s celebrated on January 6. Also known as Twelfth Night.

It’s the year, 2022, with C(aspar), M(alchior), B(althazar) and crosses in between.

And yes, it’s a blessing.

I see! The first one I noticed appeared after it was sold, but before the new owners moved in. It hasn't changed since then. So is the blessing a one-off, or is it renewed every year? I don't remember the numbers, but they aren't the same for all the houses.

It's renewed every year. In Germany on epiphany we have little groups of kids dressed up as wise men/three kings come and knock on the door. They get a biscuit or some sweets and chalk up the blessing on the houses.

It’s not just Christian in Germany, it’s very much only. Catholic. You hardly see it at all in Protestant areas.

Some churches give out blessed chalk to do it. I must get some and do it.

C+M+B 2022

Yes. Our priest blesses the chalk and leaves it out after mass on epiphany for people to take.

As well as the names of the 3 wise men, it stands additionally for Christus mansionem benedicat - Latin for 'Christ, bless this house.'

In some European countries it is a bit like first footing in a way, but for Epiphany. The children dress up as the magi.

I know a Spanish family and they do it.

Yes they do it at Epiphany (Three Kings Day) in many Catholic countries or regions. When we lived in Germany we would have about 8 to 10 “Kings” come to the door together. They would sing a carol get given candy and also usually there was fundraising often for a children’s charity.

In Louisiana, which is very Catholic, especially in the south of the State around Noo Orrleens they celebrate with King Cake which you can buy at all the bakeries and also plenty of people make it at home. There are many Catholic traditions associated with Feast Days (St Nicholas,. St Martin, St Patrick etc etc). Of course Advent and Christmas itself is very Catholic! The Puritans called celebrating the Nativity “Papist” and whenever they had political power banned it. Alongside, dancing and partying involving alcohol, theatre going and county Fairs held on Saints Days. It’s easy to see why they were extremely unpopular in the U.K. and had to emigrate to Holland and start colonies in America!