"In Germany, we celebrate the time of Advent. Most families have an
advent wreath, and each Advent Sunday one more candle gets lit until
there are four candles on the 4th of Advent.
We also use much of our Christmas decoration during Advent. The
little choir singers and the other advent decoration are a very
traditional decoration. They are made in the Eastern part of Germany ,
they are all handmade.
These little black choir singers known as Kurrendesänger have been in my
family since the early 60’s. We received them when the East was the GDR,
and as you can see from the little cracks they were very loved.
Our “big day” is not Christmas Day (and we even have
two of them!) but Christmas Eve – Heilig Abend (Holy Eve) as it is
called.
It usually starts out hectic, often with the last big shopping,
because all of the stores and supermarkets will be closed for the
following two days. But around 2:00pm the shops (including the grocery
stores) close and by 3:00pm at the latest a magical silence covers the
entire country like a beautiful veil.
The
cinnamon stars are a traditional and popular Christmas cookie in Germany
; my daughter and I still bake them every Christmas.
The ideal December 24th brings snow in the afternoon and
turns the world into a winter wonderland by the time the first church
bells start to ring. On Christmas Eve all the bells are ringing, from
the smallest, highest pitch to the biggest one with the deepest, loudest
sound.
It’s a concert of bells that resounds through the silence, calling
for mass. Christmas services start in the later afternoon, the first
ones mainly for smaller children, showing nativity plays and involving
the kids.
Later in the evening follow the more “grown-up” services with
meaningful sermons and the old German Christmas carols sung by the
congregation. Everybody knows these songs and since the churches are
always packed on Christmas Eve it is a strong and joyful singing.
After church it’s back home – and waiting for Christkind (Christ
Child). Yes – it often is not Santa coming through the chimney (there
are not that many houses with a fireplace anyway) but Christkind.
When I was a child I always envisioned Christkind with golden curly
hair and a flowing white dress, an angelic smile on its face. It would
place the presents in “die gute Stube” (“the good room” = living room)
and magically disappear, unseen by anyone.
The children are called in
and they stand in awe looking at the Christmas tree – that was brought
in and decorated only the day before (or even in the morning) and very
often carries real candles on its branches.
I have always loved the real
candles, it smells differently and the whole atmosphere is – yes,
magical. After singing a few Christmas carols everybody opens their
presents accompanied by Christmas music on the radio.
And if you’re still awake or missed the afternoon/evening service you
can go to midnight mass – always my favorite Christmas service. A huge
tree is lit (some with real candles – we live dangerously in Germany!),
the atmosphere is festive and peaceful. “
It is our “Silent Night, Holy Night”.
Thank you so much, Carola, for sharing your family's Christmas traditions with us from Germany!
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