It's December now, and eventhough I don't really feel like it, I get ready for this jolly Season, decorate the House and bake Cookies.
German Families usually prepare for Christmas throughout December. 4 Sundays before Christmas they craft an Adventswreath of Fir or Pine branches with 4 Candles. then they light a Candle on the Wreath every Sunday, sing Songs, tell Stories and eat Cookies.
German Kids count the Days until Christmas with the Help of a Advents Calendar, each day they open a little door or bag to see a Christmas picture hidden inside... or find Choclate. In the weeks leading to christmas German Homes are filled with the smell of Sweet Bread, Christmas Stollen Loaves and spiced Cookies called Lebkuchen - Gingerbread.
When you walk through the Streets you'll see the festive Decorations, the Bakery Windows are filled with Displays of Sugar Eclaires and lovely Marzipan confections in the Shape of Animals, some are also filled with Nougat. We liked the famous Outdoor Christmas Markets best. The Stalls overflow with all Sorts of Items, Holiday Toys, Gifts, Decorations and Delicacies. Adults can warm up to a nice Cup of Spiced Wine and Kids enjoy a Cider.
Many german Kids write Letters to not Santa but St. Nicholas, and so do my Kids, asking for Presents. Btw., St. Nicholas Day is December 6th. Other Children send their Letters to the Christkind ( Christ Child ). In some Areas, the Christ Child brings Gifts to the Children on St. Nicholas Day and in other Regions on Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve is the most important Time of the Season for Families.- Some even say it's a magical Night when Animals can speak. The Tradition of the Christmas Tree, which started in Germany, is the Heart of the Celebration. Of course, like everyone else today, this Evergreen Tree will be decorated with Ornaments... Ornaments which are sometimes handed down within the Family from one Generation to the next, made of Glass, Silver, carved Wood and strings of Light. And then a golden Angel is placed on the Top. Under the Tree Families arrange a Nativity Scene and Parents pile all the Presents from the Christkind beneath the boughs. So, we do celebrate Christmas twice since we live in Tacoma : Once on Christmas Eve and once on Christmas Day. Usually on the 24th, just after dark, a bell rings in our House and Erin and Brendan run to see the Christmas Tree sparkle and the Livingroom lit up by Candles. Then we exchange Gifts brought by the Christkind, read Stories,... ect. On the 25th, in the Morning, we hear the Kids open Presents oncemore, this Time delivered by Santa Claus. Most german Families enjoy a Roast, Turkey or Duck...BUT this Year I'll try my Luck on a Goose or Salmon Filet with baked Bree (?) !!! - Wish me LUCK :)
In some Parts of Germany, Families still follow the old Tradition. When Children leave their Winterboots outside the Front Door on December 6th. The Kids filled the Shoes with Carrots, Apples and Hay to feed St. Nicholas Horses as he rides by. If the Kids were good all Year St. Nicholas leaves Apples, Orages, Nuts and Candy for them. On Christmas Day the white Candle of the Adventswreath is lit. This Day is always quietly focused on Family... And I'll try my Best to keep it that way! Families attend Church together and enjoy a delicious Family Dinner.
And there we come to the more pagan Part of a German Christmas: For the following 12 Days of Christmas, People in some Parts of Germany - mainly in Bavaria and the Mountain Regions - beat Drums while strolling through the Streets to drive off evil / bad Spirits. On the 12th Night, or Epiphany, on January 6th, Boys dress up like the Three Kings who visited Baby Jesus so long ago. They carry a Star on a Pole and go through the Town singing Christmas Carols and Blessings. They stop at every House along their way to say a Poem and a Prayer for all who open the Doors to them, smoke the House with Inscence and write a Blessing above the Door. - The usual accepted Payment for this is Sweets for the ' Sternen Singer '.
In the Days after this the Families put away their Christmas Decorations for another Year, until December rolls around again.
