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Aachen (dpa / lnw) - The coronavirus pandemic changes the appearance of the carolers: Otherwise the boys and girls dressed as kings will ring the doorbells after Christmas until January and collect for a good cause.
But this year the children will not come to the front door.
The original idea of keeping a “star's length” has also become superfluous.
Instead, the Aachen children's ministry “Die Sternsinger” has come up with alternatives with blessing letters, digital visits or appearances in church services.
Around 300,000 boys and girls participate in this Catholic custom every year.
At the beginning of 2020 they raised 52.4 million euros for around 1,600 projects for children.
The nationwide opening this year had to be radically reduced: instead of 1,200 boys and girls, there are only twelve carolers in Aachen Cathedral on December 29, when the 63rd Dreikönigssingen campaign opens.
The children are spread across the niches of the 1200 year old church.
The motto is: "Brighter than ever - the world needs good news".
The celebration will be broadcast online and on the radio.
In some dioceses the sending out is celebrated on other days.
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The demand of the groups for material is great, said carol singer-president pastor Dirk Bingener.
He does not believe that fewer donations could be received because of the difficult circumstances.
"My experience is that people are doubly generous in these difficult times," he said.
Traditionally, carol singers go door to door to bring blessings.
You leave the blessing C + M + B on the front doors.
This stands for the Latin phrase "Christ mansionem benedicat" (Christ bless this house).
At the same time, they raise money for a good cause.
The Epiphany has been extended by two weeks until February 2, 2021. The 10,000 parishes involved are considering what is possible despite the restrictions: perhaps bringing the blessing to the old people's homes by video, distributing the blessing in church services, or to be laid out in a shop.
More than eight million stickers were given to carol groups.
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