31 Days of Christmas/What We Know About Them (Day 6)

As I researched Germany for today, I found some different traditions than what I thought they would be. A little on the strange side, maybe. I have a vested interest in their particular celebrations because I am of German descent, although to be honest with you until now I have never looked into them. And there were some that I found a little strange, I do admit, and others that were interesting, to say the least.

German families start getting ready for Christmas four Sundays before Christmas. They make an Advent wreath of pine or fir branches and four candles. Each Sunday, they light a candle, sing songs and eat Christmas cookies.

Ok, so that is not so strange. I have seen Christmas movies where the actors do something similar. and perhaps this tradition has been carried to the US? So what about something a little more on the strange side?

While the Germans have their own version of Santa Claus or St Nicholas, they also have what they call the Christkind. (Christ Child) The Christkind is said to be an angelic figure with blond hair and wings. The Christkind brings the children their presents (Geschenke) on December 24th and leaves them under the Welhnachtsbaum. (Christmas tree) He like our Santa Claus is not to be seen and the parents tell the children they are not to look for him.

This question was raised on the site where I found this information which is Forget Santa - Meet the Christkind! | German Language Blog | German Language Blog


But why does the Christkind exist if we already have a Santa Claus?!

Ah, my thoughts really upon reading about the Christkind because I being from a German heritage never, ever heard of him.

But the answer was simple. Santa Claus originated as a Catholic figure, while the Christkind was created by Protestants. Interesting and there is much more information about it on the afore site mentioned, should you like to go there to learn about them. For this blog, I will move on to other traditions from Germany.

Advent Season brings with it many Christmas markets that open up in almost every German town no matter their size. Everything needed for Christmas could be purchased in the markets, from toys to cookies to hand blown ornaments. The town squares are lit up with lights, decorations are put up and people gather to listen to brass band music.

Carp or goose is served most often for the Christmas meal, and Stollen, a popular fruited yeast breat is eaten during Christmas. I myself truly hope that it tastes much better than the fruitcakes we get in this country, although I must say, homemade fruitcakes are very good, and much much better than store bought, so if you have never tried baking your own, you might want to try this year. Or maybe you would like to try Stollen. You can find the recipe for it at Stollen Recipe -- Christmas Fun -- whychristmas?com along with other information from today's blog, as well.

The last so-called German tradition I want to write about today is something I never knew about as well. And in fact, it is said to be a German custom but they had never heard of it. And so I found it quite a story. Have you ever heard of the Christmas Pickle? It is a pickle ornament that was supposed to been hung on the Christmas tree and in the morning on Christmas, whichever child found it first would get an extra gift from Santa Claus or it was supposed to bring good fortune during the year. The legend was at some point discounted because Germans had never heard of it, so it is thought to be originated from Americans.

Where ever it did come from, those pickle ornaments do pop up on trees now and then. We have one in our collection of ornaments that I have no idea where it came from nor did I know the story until researching today's blog. It is possible that it came from ornaments inherited from my own family. However, I do not ever remember one hanging on our trees in past Christmas or even seeing it on their trees after I left home. So it is a mystery in my own life. And an interesting one at that. However, just because of this story, I intend to be sure to pass it on to one of my own kids with its own mystery of how it came to be in my possession and indeed the Mystery of the Christmas Pickle. Sounds like a great title for a book, don't you think?. I wonder if there is any book already written about it.....hmmm..... To learn more about the Christmas Pickle go to Christmas pickle - Wikipedia


The Christmas Carol "The Twelve Days of Christmas' was said to have special meaning in its symbols. We have been looking at what those symbols meant. Yesterday's question was what did the 5 golden rings stand for?

Answer:
Day 5 December 29: St. Thomas Becket. He was the Archbishop of Canterbury in the 12th Century and was murdered on December 29th for challenging the King's authority over the church.

Ok, so I get that they remembered him on that day, but ask the question of how his death was affiliated with the 5 golden rings in the carol? I am hoping that later this month I can find the answers to them, as I am sure they might exist. However, let's get on with just what they stand for now.

Tomorrow's question: What are the 6 geese a laying? Find out tomorrow.
sorce:The 12 Days of Christmas -- Christmas Customs and Traditions -- whychristmas?com


Thanks for your visit today Friends. I hope you are enjoying these customs from other countries. But as you read and perhaps learn about them, do not forget that while they may be interesting, they are not what is most important and only came to be after the birth of Jesus. And while they may be similar to his birth (as in the Wiseman giving gifts to the Christ child and us giving gifts to others), all our customs fade so very dimly to the real reason we celebrate this season in the first place. So please enjoy this time of decorating, and preparing for the day we celebrate his birth, but do not forget why you are celebrating it because, without his birth, there would be no celebration at all. Have a blessed day for the Lord lives and blessed be the Rock of my Salvation.
Psalm 18:46