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 Traditions
inGermany
The Christmas tree is a popular tradition in Germany.
It started when St. Boniface was in the forest and came upon a group of
Pagans that were worshipping an oak tree. St. Boniface walked over to the
tree and cut it down from the roots of the oak tree and grew an evergreen
tree and said this was the tree of Christ because it rose again like
Christ came back from the dead. It wasn’t till many years later that
Martin Luther in Germany started the tradition of decorating the tree. He
started to decorate it with candles and many years later it turned into
the Christmas tree we have today. It is a tradition for Nikolaus to puts
little gifts and sweets or a rod in the boots of the children, on the eve of December the 6Th.
He leaves candy in the shoes of children who are good and switches to coal in
the shoes of children who are bad. Nikolaus travels with his companion
known variously as called Krampus, Pelzebock, Pelznickel, Hans, Muff,
Bartel and Gumphinkel. The companion is most commonly know as Knecht and
he carries switches around to put in the shoes of the children who have
been naughty.
 Santa
In Germany, Santa is called Nikolaus and he wears a red
suit and has a long white beard. The origin of the name Nikolaus is a
Greek bishop of Myra (a
city now in Turkey. In Eastern Germany Nikolaus is also
called Ash, Shaggy Goat or Rider.
Treats
Gingerbread men and houses, pfefferneuse cookies are
special treats. They also make uncommon star cookies called Zimtsterne
(Cinnamon Stars). They do not eat gingerbread like in Great Britain or
Sweden. Our 'Lebkuchen' is darker, bigger, softer and sweat and has
the shape of hearts, stars, cubes and rods, sometimes with nuts or a
very sweet filling.
How They Count Down
They count down by lighting one candle on the first
Sunday and they go to the fourth Sunday. On Christmas Sunday they light a
large white candle and place it in the middle of the other candles. This
originated in Germany as well.
Decorations
In 1880 glassmakers in Thuringia discover how to make
blown glass balls and bells. They became decorations to trim the Christmas
trees all over the world.
How Presents are Given
December 6th, Nikolaus walks the
streets on that night. He leaves presents in the children’s shoes. The
children leave their shoes outside the door. If the children are bad, he
leaves coal in their shoes. If they’re good he leaves candy and goods.
The Day Before Christmas
The 24th of December is the commemoration day (Catholic) of
all ancestors of Jesus Christ, especially Adam and Eve. The gifts under
the Christmas Tree are brought by the 'Christkind'
(Christ Child) and before or after opening them, the family has a
special dinner. In some regions they eat carp or turkey.
Decorating the Christmas Tree
On Christmas Eve the parents set up the Christmas tree
and decorate it. Once they have finished, the children open the presents.
The rest of the family comes around on Christmas day.
by Ben and
Dean
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