The Singing Wise Men, "Sternsiger," Tradition

Every year, during the latter days of Christmas culminating on January 6, half a million young carol singers go door-to-door dressed as the Three Wise Men to bless the Catholic Christian households.
The "Star Singer" refers to three kings from the Orient - Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar - who saw a star announcing the birth of Jesus. According to the Scriptures, the Wise Men followed a star to bring gifts to the Baby Jesus in the manger at Bethlehem, gold, frankincense and myrrh.
In Catholic communities throughout the German speaking lands, the whole family works between Christmas and New Year preparing for the "Sternsinger" events. There's a lot to be done: cutting out wooden stars, making crowns and sewing robes for the kings. The singing groups have to rehearse a broad repertoire of carols.
After the carol singing, the carolers bless the house by writing the abbreviation "C+M+B," bracketed by the numbers of the year, in white chalk on the door, the Latin blessing "Christus mansionem benedicat." In English: "Christ bless this house."

These Three Wise Men, or Magi, are also a popular motif for the decoration of Christmas sweets and cakes.
At the end of each visit the "Sternsinger" collect a donation. In Germany alone, they take up around $50 million each year. The money is given to aid projects for children around the world.