St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Birdsboro hosted its annual 12th Night Boars' Head Party on Jan. 5. The event featured music, dancing, food and games.

"Between 80 and 100 people attended the (event)," said Sally Sassaman, St. Mark's Church administrative coordinator. "12th Night celebrates the wise men visiting baby Jesus and ends the Christmas season."

The event began with a blessing and introduction by pastor James Farnsworth. "It is a centuries-old way to celebrate and to mark the occasion of the Epiphany with God's blessing of our lives and homes," he stated. "Using blessed chalk, people marked the doorposts of their homes with an inscription citing the new year and the letters CMB, which stand for Latin words (that mean) 'May Christ Bless This Home.' (The letters also represent) the three Magi - Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar."

The blessing was followed by an opening parade with musical instruments, including bagpipes, a violin and a drum. Guests, including musician Dave Kline, led the group in the singing of "The Boar's Head Carol," "Here We Come A-wassailing" and "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen," among other anthems.

Attendees enjoyed freshly made pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs and other menu items. Adults drank wassail, which was made with orange, apple and cherry juices mixed with whiskey and rum. The wassail toast was offered by Kline.

"Our event benefited the church youth who will attend the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans this summer," noted Sassaman.

To view highlights of the event, visit http://www.youtube.com and search for "Recap of 12th Night Boar's Head Party, 1/5/24."

St. Mark's Lutheran Church is located at 5 Brooke Manor, Birdsboro. To learn more about church activities, visit http://www.stmarkbirdsboro.org and http://www.facebook.com/StMarksBirdsboro.