Subject: 26.1.3 Advent, St. Nicholas and Christmas

Of course, the usual disclaimer applies: regional variations are to be expected!

**Advent** is very similar to the way it is celebrated in the US, except for the wreath displayed with four candles on a table instead of being hung on the door. The "Adventszeit" are the four weeks (each concluded with an "Adventssonntag") before Christmas. It is customary to light only the number of candles on the wreath that correspond with the count of the Advent Sundays having passed. Consider the old nursery rhyme:

Advent, Advent,
ein Lichtlein brennt.
Erst eins, dann zwei, dann drei, dann vier --
und dann steht Weihnachten vor der Tuer.

(Instead of the last line, you may also find the variation: und wenn das fuenfte Lichtlein brennt, dann hast du Weihnachten verpennt. )

**St. Nicholas** is based on a historic figure who provided charities to people in need during the winter months. In the Catholic tradition, on the eve before December 6th St. Nicholaus comes to the children's houses, accompanied by his servant, "Krampus". He reads out of "the golden book" all good and bad attributes of the kids and the generaly well-behaved children will get small presents (traditionally fruit, nuts, and cookies) But the "bad" ones receive a birching from Krampus...and the really bad apples are taken away in Krampus's big sack.

**Christmas** is celebrated on the evening of December 24th -- the "Heiligabend". As a child, you will be told to remain in your room from late afternoon on, because the christ-child (das "Christkind") will come tonight. Without you knowing (or something like that), your parents prepare the Christmas tree ("Weihnachtsbaum"). Choice of ornaments varies dramatically from household to household, ranging from all-natural and home-made with wax candles to the plastic tree with flickering electric lights.

After sunset (maybe 6pm) you are asked to join your parents. This is typically done with a special little "Glöckchen" that serves only this one moment in the year. After the "Bescherung" (when the gifts are unwrapped) the special Christmas dinner is served.

In a varition, dinner may be served **before** the Bescherung in the room different from where the Weihnachtsbaum is. When the family has almost finished dinner one of the parents will sneak out and ring the little bell. The other parent exclaims: "Oh, das Christkind was just here!" which is your cue to open the door and for the first time you see the Weihnachtsbaum -- and all the presents underneath. Then everyone wishes everybody else a "Fröhliche Weihnachten"; you open your presents and play until you fall asleep under the tree. This is the one night in a year, when you do not have to go to bed early.

Back to the Christmas in Germany page.
Back to the main German page.
Back to the main Riverdale page.