The Eastern Orthodox Christmas is, I believe, January 6 or what traditional
Christianity calls the Feast of Epiphany or Three Kings' Day. I don't know if
they celebrate any differently other than the date. Polish Catholics, however,
have an interesting custom that day. A special incense is burned, the kind you
put on a charcoal instead of the sticks or cones, and the smoke is fanned over
every door and window in the house. Over the top of the main entrance, one
writes "KMB" and the year; KMB are the traditional intials of the Magi, Kaspar,
Melchior and Bathazar. By doing this, say the Old Country folk, all in the home
will be protected for the year and partake in the gifts of the Three Kings. And
Christmas decorations ALWAYS are to be taken down by the end of the day. Some
old-timers believe it's bad luck to leave them up after Epiphany.

My mother had statues of the Magi from Poland, molded from rich cloth that had
been stiffened with an unknown substance that made it hard as rock, and fitted
with bearded heads and hands to present the gifts. Over the years they only
need small repairs, and those can be done with a couple of baubles from the
craft store. They are the only things of my mother's that were left, and were
rescued by friends of hers who searched for me for nearly fifteen years after
her death. After my father remarried, the new wife would have nothing in the
house that belonged to Frances, and it all went into my father's woodburning
stove, including her military decorations, the b*tch. The neighbors practically
had to do a reconnaisance mission just to get the Magi out. I now have them
here with us and we're repairing those small things (the gifts got busted, no
big deal.) Now I just have to make sure that the kitties don't think they're
some kind of fascinating new toy!

Blessed be,
Baha