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117 Christmas Gifts Free To Explode Your Holiday Gift-Giving Without Stress!
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Family Christmas Traditions from Germany
German legend says that, on Christmas Eve, all the rivers turn
to wine, the animals speak to each other and to humans, trees
bear fruit, church bells ring from the sea, and gems pour forth
from the mountains. Is it any wonder, then, that family
Christmas traditions in Germany are bold, beautiful, and full of
cheer? When Christmas, or Weihnachten as the Germans call it,
rolls around in Germany, you'll find lots of beautiful
decorations, delicious treats, and traditional stories to
brighten the season.
The first part of December is traditionally reserved for solemn
religious reflection. In years past, this quiet period lasted
right up until Christmas itself. This time included a focus on
reconnecting with your religion through reflection and fasting.
Modern Germans, however, tends to use a slightly shorter period
of time while still preserving the idea of concentrating on the
religious aspects of the season..
The four weeks leading up to Christmas (usually beginning just
before December first so as to include four Sundays before
Christmas) is the Adventszeit or Advent season. Many German
households include an Adventskran, or Advent wreath. This is a
wreath of leaves with five candles, usually with four purple
candles and one white. On each Sunday of Advent, one of the
purple candles is lit. The white candle is traditionally lit
around midnight on Christmas Eve to signal the birth of the
Christ Child. Most families also have an Advent calendar for
each child. There's a door on the calendar for each day from
December 1st through 25th, and behind each door the child will
find a small chocolate or toy. Many families open their doors
just before bed, giving the children something to dream about in
anticipation of the arrival of Christmas.
Children in Germany tend to honor both St. Nikolaus and the
Christ Child in their traditions. On December 6th, families
celebrate St. Nikolaus's Feast Day by placing their shoes by the
fireplace. The children hope that St. Nikolaus will deem their
behavior throughout the year as good enough to warrant treats of
fruit, nuts, chocolates, candies, and marzipan instead of the
coal and twigs his partner Knecht Ruprecht bestows upon naughty
children. Many modern Germans now use a decorative item like a
small wooden sleigh or shoe in place of actual shoes when
waiting for the arrival of St. Nikolaus. After St. Nikolaus has
come and gone, the children write letters to the Christkindl or
the Christ Child, addressing them to his home in Himmelstadt.
According to many accounts, the Christmas tree that has become
traditional throughout many parts of the world originated in
Germany. Known as the Weihnachtsbaum to the Germans, the
Christmas tree is traditionally a live fir or pine tree that is
decorated with candles, marzipan, beautifully wrapped
chocolates, hand-blown ornaments, and tinsel. Tradition dictates
that the children of the family aren't allowed to see the
Christmas tree until the Christmas bell rings on the night of
Christmas Eve. Many
families now keep the Christmas tree in a
locked room for such a purpose, while others prefer to put their
trees up on Christmas Eve evening.
On Christmas Eve, the German family traditionally starts their
evening with a service at their church. When they return, one
member of the family rings the Christmas bell, signaling the
start of the Christmas celebration. The family then goes to the
Christmas tree to open gifts. This tradition of opening gifts on
Christmas Eve is different from many other Western countries,
but remains true to this day. Different parts of Germany believe
differently about who brings the gifts. In the northern part of
the country, families traditionally believe that the
Weihnachstmann or Christmas Man brings their gifts. In the
southern part of the country, however, the Christkindl is who
brings the gifts that everyone enjoys.
Then comes the Christmas feast. Different families partake of
this feast at varying times; it can take place before the gift
giving, after the gift giving, or even after the midnight
Christmas church service. Regardless, the feast traditionally
consists of a roasted goose or carp and lots of goodies. Some
typical side dishes include Christstollen, which is a long loaf
of bread stuffed with nuts and marzipan fruit; Lebkuchen, or
gingerbread; marzipan fruits themselves; and Stollen, a
fruit-filled bread. The feast is usually ended with plates of
cookies and chocolates to bring a proper end to the celebration.
Christmas Day itself is spent with family and friends and
usually includes time for religious activities. The Christmas
season doesn't traditionally end, however, until January 6th.
This day was traditionally used to celebrate the birth of
Christ, and is still used today as the Feast of the Epiphany or
Heilige Drei Könige. This day celebrates the three wise men, and
their initials along with the year are written in chalk above
the doors of German homes to protect the family throughout the
year.
Germany is the source of many Western Christmas traditions.
While maintaining their own unique intricacies, Germans have
shared their traditions throughout the world and can be looked
to for wonderful ideas on how you can start your own family
Christmas traditions. Maybe this year, your family can
participate in the celebration of the Advent with a beautiful
calendar filled with chocolates, or decorate your tree with
marzipan and cookies. Make the traditions your own, and your
family will remember your Christmas celebration for years to
come.
About the author:
Jane S. Roseen became the sole Owner and President of Harmony
Sweets in 2005. Since then she has taken a small, successful
online gourmet chocolate shop and made it a name recognized
world-wide. Harmony Sweets' original mission focused on
individual consumers purchasing gourmet chocolates from around
the world for their friends and relatives. Roseen expanded that
mission to include corporate gift-giving.
Website: http://www.harmonysweets.com
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