Germany

Advent

The period of Advent begins on the 4th Sunday before Christmas and each family has an advent wreath that holds four candles. The first candle is lit on this 4th Sunday, and each Sunday thereafter an new candle is lit until on the final Sunday before Christmas all four candles are burning. The tradition represents Jesus bringing light into the world. In strict Catholic families fasting is observed during this time where each participant chooses to forgo something for a month. In the weeks leading up to Christmas a variety of Plaetzen (Christmas Biscuits) are enthusiastically baked with the help of the children and guests are invited on Sundays for coffee and Plaetzen and Lebkuchen.

Advent calendars are also put into place ready to be opened from the 1st of December. They range from shop bought calendars where windows are opened revealing a saying, a chocolate or a gift through to home-made calendars with mini socks or bags numbered 1 to 24 that hold small gifts or sweets.

Christmas Markets are held in all villages and cities where vendors sell traditional hand-crafted Christmas decorations, Gluehwein (mulled wine), roasted chestnuts and sugar coated roasted almonds.

Rorate Masses are held regularly before sunrise during Advent when the Church is lit only by candlelight. The mass is held in honour of the Virgin Mary and also to give expression to the longing for the coming of the Messiah.

5th or 6th of December St Nicholas

St Nicholas comes dressed in his Bishop’s clothing with his golden book. He reads to the children from his book all the good things and bad things they have done during the year. He brings them small gifts or a chocolate figure of St Nicholas. If he does not appear in person he will leave the gifts in the children’s freshly polished shoes.

24th December 

Christmas Eve is the height of the Christmas celebration in Germany. In some households the family will decorate the tree together on the 24th. In others the tree will magically appear in the living room with gifts underneath on Christmas Eve. The Christmas Tree was first introduced into the Christmas celebrations by the Germans and there is a strong tradition of only decorating a genuine tree. The family will sing carols around the tree and the father of the household will light candles on the tree. Glockenmusik (Church bell music) and the music of the 800 year old St Thomas Choir of Leipzig are popular choices for creating a magical Christmas atmosphere.

The Christchild magically delivers the gifts under the tree whilst the children are distracted. Atheist families will have Santa Claus delivering gifts. The gifts are unwrapped and a simple meal of sausage and potato salad is eaten. In recent times duck, goose and dumplings have also become traditional Christmas fare.

There are early Christmas Masses held for families with children as well as midnight Masses.

25th First Christmas Day

Extended families may get together for a meal of roast duck with dumplings and red cabbage. Those that did not manage to go to Church the night before may attend a Mass. 

26th Second Christmas Day or St Stephen’s Day

A quiet day, perhaps with a meal with friends or family.

31st of December: Sylvester

Named after St Sylvester who died on the 31st of December. New Year’s Eve is often celebrated with friends by shooting of fireworks and eating “Blue Carp” which is kept alive in the bathtub until time comes for cooking. Raclette is also becoming more popular as a New Years meal. Using an old tradition one can determine what luck will be had in the new year by heating up a spoonful of lead and dropping it into a bowl of cold water. The shape that emerges determines your fortune: a round ball means luck will roll your way and a star means happiness.

6th of January Three Holy Kings 3

Between the 26th Dec and 6th of January the Star Singers will go to houses to sing a song and collect donations. Some are dressed as the Three Holy Kings. They will then bless the house and write the blessing in chalk over the doorway e.g. 20C+M+B16.

On this day Christmas trees are disposed of.