Merry Christmas in Germany
"Fröhliche Weihnachten in Deutschland"

The Christmas season begins with the beginning of Advent, four Sundays before Christmas Day. Germans traditionally have Advent wreath in their families, it is said to be originated with the German Lutherans. The wreath is made of a circle of greenery in which four candles are set, a large white candle is set in the middle. It is attached with pine and fir cones, little red mushrooms, or red and yellow ribbons. One candle is lit the first Sunday of Advent, two are lit the second Sunday, and so on until the fourth Sunday. On the Christmas Day, the large candle in the middle is lit. These wreaths are usually hang from the ceiling in large houses, shops and in churches. On the first Sunday after November 26th, German children receive the Advent calendar from their parents.

The calendar has bright little pictures with numbers on each of them. One, two, three, and so on up to 24. Wherever the numbers are, there are small paper windows. Children hang the calendars alongside their beds and open a "window" each morning. Candles, balls or chocolate can be found inside. Children can count the day towards Christmas when having their little toys. When all the windows are opened, then it will be the Christmas Day! From the beginning of Advent until Christmas, booths and stalls are set up on the market places in all cities.

People can buy everything they need for Christmas, such as Christmas tree, decorations for the tree and candles, crib figures and gingerbread, and presents for Christmas Eve. The most famous Christmas markets is the one in Nuremberg (Nürnberger Christkindlsmarkt) which has a history of more than 400 years and is attended by people from many countries. People usually have hot "Rotwein" (red wine) and "Wurst" (sausage) when they are in the Christmas market. According to legend, on Christmas Eve in Germany, rivers turn to wine, animals speak to each other, tree blossoms bear fruit, mountains open up to reveal precious gems, and churchbells can be heard ringing from the bottom of the sea. Of course, only the pure in heart can witness this Christmas magic.

All others must content themselves with traditional German celebrating, of which there is plenty. As a matter of fact, there is so much celebrating that it begins on December 6th, St. Nicholas Day. As in many other European countries, on the eve of Dec. 6th children place a shoe or boot by the fireplace. During the night, St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children, hops from house to house carrying a book of sins in which all of the misdeeds of the children are written. If they have been good, he fills the shoe or boot with delicious holiday edibles. If they have not been good, their shoe is filled with twigs. December 21st, supposedly the shortest day (longest night) of the year, is dubbed St. Thomas Day. In parts of the Sauerland, whoever wakes up late or arrives late to work on that day is issued the title "Thomas Donkey."

They are given a cardboard donkey and are the subject of numerous jokes throughout the day. But this gentle abuse ends deliciously with round, iced currant buns called "Thomasplitzchen." This is all preliminary to the excitement of Christmas Eve. Prior to the evening feast, is the presentation of the tree. The Christmas tree, as we know it, originated in Germany. It has a mysterious magic for the young because they are not allowed to see it until Christmas Eve.While the children are occupied in another room (usually by Father) Mother brings out the Christmas tree and decorates it with apples, candy, nuts, cookies, cars, trains, angels, tinsel, family treasures and candles or lights.

The presents are placed under the tree. Somewhere, close to the bright display are laid brilliantly decorated plates for each family member, loaded with fruits, nuts, marzipan, chocolate and biscuits.When all is ready a bell is rung as a signal for the children to enter this Christmas fantasy room. Carols are sung, sometimes sparklers are lit, the Christmas story is read and gifts are opened. "Dickbauch" means "fat stomach" and is a name given to the Christmas Eve because of the tradition that those who do not eat well on Christmas Eve will be haunted by demons during the night. So the opportunity is given to enjoy dishes such as suckling pig, "Reisbrei" (a sweet cinnamon), white sausage, macaroni salad, and many regional dishes.

Christmas Day brings with it a banquet of plump roast goose, "Christstollen" (long loaves of bread bursting with nuts, raisins, citron and dried fruit), "Lebkuchen" (spice bars), marzipan, and "Dresdner Stollen" (a moist, heavy bread filled with fruit). The custom of trimming and lighting a Christmas tree had its origin in pre-Christian Germany, the tree symbolizing the Garden of Eden. The top of the tree is decorated and shiny balls are hanging from the branches, sometimes stars made out of stray. All this is used to represent the star of Bethlehem.

Pieces of a silvery or golden band stand for the hair of the angels and the evergreen fir tree stands for the eternal hope of Jesus. It was called the "Paradies Baum," or tree of Paradise. Gradually, the custom of decorating the tree with cookies, fruit and eventually candles evolved. Other countries soon adapted the custom. Charles Dickens called it "The Pretty German Toy."

Christmas Recipes