GERMANY

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We can trace some of our most beloved holiday lore and traditions to
Germany. In no other country is Christmas more elaborately and universally
celebrated. The Christmas season officially begins with the beginning of
Advent, four Sundays before Christmas Day. The tradition of the Advent
wreath, a circle of greenery in which four candles are set, originated with
the German Lutherans. One candle is lit the first Sunday of Advent, two are
lit the second Sunday, and so on until the fourth Sunday. A large white
candle in the center is lit on Christmas Day. The Advent calendar, an
elaborate calendar with windows used to count down the days until
Christmas, also originated in Germany. 


The Christmas Tree owes its widespread popularity to Germany. In the Middle
Ages The Germans would put on a mystery play each December 24th, the feast
day of Adam and Eve. The plays invariably featured a decorated evergreen
which represented the Tree of Life from which Adam and Eve ate and as a
result were banished from the Garden of Eden. Over the centuries the plays
and associated festivities strayed from their religious origins and the
Church ceased to sponsor them. But the people continued to set up and
decorate a tree in their home every year at Christmas. In 1880 glassmakers
in Thuringia discovered how to make blown glass balls and bells, which
became the decorations used to trim Christmas trees all over the world. 


In many German cities special festive markets with decorated booths and
stalls are set up for weeks before Christmas. The most famous of these is
the Christmas Market in Nuremberg which has a history of more than 400
years and is attended by people from many countries. From the main market
square visitors can enjoy a splendid view of the famous Schner Brunnen
("beautiful fountain") and the 600-year-old Franenkirche ("Our Lady's
Church"). Only items related to Christmas are permitted to be offered for
sale. The festival lasts three weeks, from early December until Christmas. 


St. Nicholas has traditionally brought gifts to German children on the eve
of his feast day, December 6. He traveled with a dark-faced companion,
often a frightening figure, known variously as Krampus, Pelzebock,
Pelznickel, Hans Muff, Bartel, or Gumphinkel. Most commonly the companion
was called Knecht Ruprecht, and carried and bundle of switches. After the
reformation authorities frowned upon the idea of having a character
representing the bishop/saint distributing gifts. As a result St. Nick's
modern incarnation Santa Claus was born, complete with long white beard,
red suit, and sleigh. St. Nick is known by various names in different
regions of Germany including Klaasbuur, Burklaas, Rauklas, Bullerklaas, and
Sunnercla. In eastern Germany, where the Santa figure remains more
connected with his pagan past, he is called Ash Man, Shaggy Goat, or Rider.
Today, he is increasingly known as Father Christmas throughout Germany and
appears not on St. Nicholas Day Eve, but on Christmas Eve. 


In Germany, as in many European countries, the highpoint of the Christmas
season is Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. A midnight service is celebrated
by both Catholics and Protestants.

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