It´s "Christmas feeling" in the air.
The beginning of December is the right time to talk about some Christmas traditions.
I think Christmas is one of the best times of the year. I love the atmosphere when everything is is lighted in the dark. The streets,windows and trees are adorable during winter times.
If it would be me, I would love to see lightning every day, if there wouldn´t be any cost for electricity and the environment.
But that´s sadly not this way, so we have to take care that we don´t waste to much electricity!
But get back to the topic.
I think Christmas is one of the best times of the year. I love the atmosphere when everything is is lighted in the dark. The streets,windows and trees are adorable during winter times.
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But that´s sadly not this way, so we have to take care that we don´t waste to much electricity!
But get back to the topic.
In Germany and other countries there are some similar and different traditions on Christmans.
The following 3 traditions are based for Germany.
Tradition #1: Four advent Sundays and candles
In Germany there is a tradition to have an advent wreath and light a candle on every advent (sundays before christmas).
traditional advent wreath.
"The readings for the first Sunday in Advent relate to the old testament patriarchs who were Christ's ancestors, so some call the first advent candle that of hope.
The readings for the second Sunday concern Christ's birth in a manger and other prophesies, so the candle may be called of Bethlehem, the way or of the prophets.
The third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday after the first word of the introit (Philippians 4:4), is celebrated with rose-colored vestments similar to Laetare Sunday at the middle point of Lent.
The readings for the fourth Sunday relate to the annunciation of Christ's birth, so the candle may be known as the Angel's candle."
The advent wreath was invented in Germany 1839.
The first time an advent wreath was hung up at an catholic church was in Cologne 1925 and followed by a Munich church 1930.
If you are interested about the history of the advent wreath you can read the grey text (it is really interesting), if not just skip it and go to the next tradition.
"The ring or wheel of the Advent wreath of evergreens decorated with candles was a symbol in northern Europe long before the arrival of Christianity. The circle symbolized the love of God which has no beginning and no end while the evergreens and lighted candles signified the persistence of life in the midst of winter.
Some sources suggest the wreath—now reinterpreted as a Christian symbol—was in common use in the Middle Ages, others that it was established in Germany as a Christian custom only in the 16th century. There is evidence of pre-Christian Germanic peoples using wreathes with lit candles during the cold and dark December days as a sign of hope in the future warm and extended-sunlight days of Spring.[5]
Other evidence suggests that the Advent wreath was not invented until the 19th century. Research by Prof. Haemig of Luther Seminary, St. Paul, points to Johann Hinrich Wichern (1808–1881), a Protestant pastor in Germany and a pioneer in urban mission work among the poor as the inventor of the modern Advent wreath.[6] During Advent, children at the mission school Rauhes Haus, founded by Wichern in Hamburg, would ask daily if Christmas had arrived. In 1839, he built a large wooden ring (made out of an old cartwheel) with 20 small red and 4 large white candles. A small candle was lit successively every weekday during Advent. On Sundays, a large white candle was lit. The custom gained ground among Protestant churches in Germany and evolved into the smaller wreath with four or five candles known today. Roman Catholics in Germany began to adopt the custom in the 1920s, and in the 1930s it spread to North America.[7] Professor Haemig's research also indicates that the custom did not reach the United States until the 1930s, even among German Lutheran immigrants.
In Medieval times advent was a fast during which people's thoughts were directed to the expected second coming of Christ; but in modern times it has been seen as the lead up to Christmas, and in that context Advent Wreath serves as a reminder of the approach of the feast."
There are a lot of different types of advent wreaths.
These following are my favorites, because they are very fashionable and unique.
Tradition #2: Weihnachtsmarkt - Christmas market
Christmas market, in Germany called "Weihnachtsmarkt", is a big tradition!
Every year there are Christmas markets in every city in Germany.
It does not matter if it´s a big or small city.
Every year there are Christmas markets in every city in Germany.
It does not matter if it´s a big or small city.
There is a Christmas market everywhere!
"A Christmas market, also known as Christkindlmarkt, Christkindlesmarkt, Christkindlmarket, and Weihnachtsmarkt, is a street market associated with the celebration of Christmas during the four weeks of Advent. These markets originated in Germany, Austria, South Tyrol and Alsace but are now being held in many other countries.
The history of Christmas markets goes back to the Late Middle Ages in the German-speaking part of Europe. Dresden's Strietzelmarkt was first held in 1434.[...] Frankfurt (first mentioned in 1393) and Munich (1310) were even older. The Vienna "December market" was a kind of forerunner of the Christmas market and dates back to 1294." (source)
The most famous Christmas markets are in Augsburg, Dresden, Erfurt, Nuremberg, Stuttgart, Dortmund, Cologne and FRANKFURT.
These Christmas markets are huge touristic attractions, that millions of people are eager to visit.
Frankfurt is the place where I use to go. It is a big market with a lot of different traditional food, drinks and gifts.
"Popular attractions at the market include the Nativity Scene (a crèche or crib), Zwetschgenmännle (figures made of decorated dried plums), Nussknacker (carved Nutcrackers), Gebrannte Mandeln (candied, toasted almonds), traditional Christmas cookies such as Lebkuchen and Magenbrot (both forms of soft gingerbread), Bratwurst, and for many visitors one of the highlights of the market:Glühwein, hot mulled wine (with or without a shot of brandy), or Eierpunsch (an egg-based warm alcoholic drink). Both help stave off the cold winter air which sometimes dips below freezing.
More regional food specialties include Christstollen (Stollen), a sort of egg bread with candied fruit in Saxony, and hot Apfelwein and Frankfurter Bethmännchen in Hesse. Many other handmade items, toys, books, Christmas tree decorations and ornaments (and in recent years less useful gadgets) can be found at a Christmas Market". (source)
Some of you might know Christmas markets in your own country (UK, Canada, France, etc). There are even Christmas markets in the USA, because German immigrants also brought the Christmas market celebrations to the United States.
Maybe there is a possibility for me to experience a "German -American Weihnachtsmarkt" here in Boston.
I have to figure it out and let you know.
I love Christmas markets because there is "Christmas feeling in the air" and you are getting into Christmas mood when you are visiting a market.
Tradition #3: Glühwein - hot mulled wine
You might noticed "Glühwein" - hot mulled wine" in my Christmas market post (Tradition #2).
The topic Glühwein deserves it´s one mention.
It is a traditional drink in Christmas time.
You can have the real "Glühwein" experience on a Christmas market or make it for yourself.
A lot of people like to drink a hot Glühwein at home when they are enjoying time with their families on Sunday advents while eating some Christmas Cookies.
In Germany you can buy Glühwein in bottles or just make it for yourself.
Here is a recipe to make your own delicious "Glühwein".
Hot Mulled Wine (Glühwein, "glow wine")
Ingredients (serves 2-3 persons)
- 1 bottle of dry red wine (750 ml)
- one lemon
- 2 sticks of cinnamon
- 3 cloves
- 3 tablespoons of sugar
- some cardamom (or ginger)
Directions
Heat the red wine in a pot (don't boil). Cut the lemon into slices and add to the wine. Then add the cinnamon, cloves, sugar and a little cardamom (to taste). Heat everything for about 5 minutes - do not boil - and let stand for about an hour. Before serving, reheat and strain. Serve in prewarmed glasses or mugs.
Heat the red wine in a pot (don't boil). Cut the lemon into slices and add to the wine. Then add the cinnamon, cloves, sugar and a little cardamom (to taste). Heat everything for about 5 minutes - do not boil - and let stand for about an hour. Before serving, reheat and strain. Serve in prewarmed glasses or mugs.
Enjoy making your own "Glühwein"!
I wish everyone a Happy Nicolaus day!
On 6th December we in Germany celebrate St. Nichola´s Day (Nikolaustag).
On this day little kids/maybe also old kids ;) get little presents if they were brave.
So I hope you were brave and got some presents from Nicolaus , Santa Claus or St. Nichola´s (depends on how you want to call him).
Love life.
Liebe das Leben.
Liebe das Leben.
Christina.
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