German legend says that on Christmas Eve, all the rivers turn to wine, animals speak to each other and to humans, fruit trees, bells ring from the sea, and gems from the mountains flow. Is it any wonder, then, that the family Christmas traditions in Germany are in bold, beautiful and full of joy? When Christmas, or Weihnachten as the Germans call it, rolls around in Germany, you find lots of beautiful decorations, treats and traditional stories to brighten the season.
The first part of December is traditionally reserved for solemn religious reflection. In recent years, this period of calm that lasted until Christmas. 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 retaining the idea of focusing on religious aspects of the season ..
The four weeks before Christmas (usually beginning just before 1 December to include four Sundays before Christmas) is the Adventszeit or Advent. Many German families include a Adventskran, or Advent wreath. This is a wreath with five candles, usually with four purple candles and one white. On each Sunday of Advent, a purple candle is lit. The white candle is traditionally lit around midnight on Christmas Eve to mark the birth of Baby Jesus. Many families also have an Advent calendar for each child. There is a door on the calendar for each day from December 1 to 25, 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, in anticipation of the arrival of Christmas.
Children in Germany tend to honor both St. Nikolaus and Christ Child in their traditions. On December 6th, families celebrate the feast day of St. Nikolaus, placing their shoes by the fireplace. The children hope that St. Nicholas deem their behavior throughout the year as good enough to justify the case of fruit, nuts, chocolate, marzipan and instead of coal and twigs his partner Knecht Ruprecht bestows on naughty children. Many modern Germans now use a decorative element as a sled of wood or real shoes instead of shoes while waiting for the arrival of S. Nicholas. After St. Nikolaus has come and gone, the children write letters to Christmas or Christ Child, addressing them to his home in Himmelstadt.
According to many accounts, the Christmas tree that has become traditional in many parts of the world, born in Germany. Known as the Weihnachtsbaum 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 has it that the children of the family are not allowed to see the Christmas tree until the bell rings, Christmas night of Christmas Eve. Many families now keep the Christmas tree in a closed room for this purpose, while others prefer to put their trees until the evening, Christmas Eve.
On Christmas Eve, the German family traditionally starts the evening with a service at their church. When they return, a member of the family Christmas bell rings, signaling the beginning of the celebration of Christmas. The family then goes 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 bears gifts. In the northern part of the country, families traditionally believe that Christmas or Weihnachstmann man brings their gifts. In the southern part of the country, however, is that Christmas brings gifts that everyone enjoys.
Then comes the Christmas party. Several families participate in this festival several times, can take place before the gift after gift, or even after midnight Christmas church service. Regardless, the feast traditionally consists of roast goose or carp and lots of goodies. Some typical dishes include Christstollen side, which is a loaf of bread stuffed with nuts and marzipan fruits, Lebkuchen, or gingerbread, marzipan fruits themselves, and Stollen, a fruit-filled breads. The feast is usually ended with plates of biscuits and chocolates to bring a proper end of the celebration.
Christmas Day itself is spent with family and friends and usually includes time for religious activities. The Christmas season traditionally does not end, however, until January 6. This day is traditionally used to celebrate the birth of Christ, and is still used today as the Feast of 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 during the year.
Germany is the source of many Western Christmas traditions. While maintaining their unique complexity, the Germans shared their traditions around 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 Advent with a calendar full of beautiful chocolates, or decorate your tree with marzipan and cookies. Make your traditions and your family will remember your Christmas party for years to come.
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