The chalking of the doors is a centuries-old Christian tradition (done either on Epiphany or on New Year’s Day). The letters have two meanings. First, they represent the initials of the Magi (Caspar, Malchior, Balthazar) who came to visit Jesus in His first home. They also abbreviate the Latin phrase, Christus MansionemBbenedicat: "May Christ bless the house". The "+" signs represent the cross, and the “20” at the beginning and the “16” at the end mark the year. Taken together, this inscription is performed as a request of Christ to bless those homes so marked that he stay with those who dwell therein throughout the entire year.