2023-12-10 10:03:02
Christmas is the festival of love… But what’s behind it?
In Germany, Christmas is traditionally celebrated with a Christmas tree, Christmas carols, lots of gifts and delicious food. But why is the festival so important?
Read everything about the history, meaning and traditions of Christmas here!
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What we celebrate Christmas
In short: A young traveling couple, Mary and Joseph from Nazareth, have a baby in a stable in Bethlehem in the middle of the night from December 24th to 25th. They put it in a manger to sleep.
The special thing: the birth of this child had already been announced to the mother by an angel. The newborn, the parents believe, is not Joseph’s child, but the Son of God.
They name their son Jesus of Nazareth. But Jesus is considered the long-awaited redeemer, the Savior who frees all people who believe in him from their sins.
A depiction of the three kings and the newborn Jesus in the manger
Photo: picture alliance / Eibner-Pressefoto
The night of the birth of Jesus Christ, the joy of his parents Mary and Joseph and the visit of the shepherds – this tells the biblical story of Christmas.
Christians all over the world celebrate this Christmas miracle every year. In Germany, Christmas has a total of three days: Christmas Eve on December 24th, which is still considered a working day, is followed by the first holiday (December 25th) and the second holiday (December 26th).
By the way: The birth of Jesus is the beginning of our era, which is divided into the period before and after the birth of Christ.
This is the tradition of Christmas
Along with Easter and Pentecost, Christmas is one of the three most important church festivals.
Attending a choir or organ concert, a Christmas service, a nativity play or a Christmas vespers is not only a must for devout Christians during Advent and Christmas.
During the previous Advent season there are traditionally many musical offerings in churches and concert halls.
Everything else that belongs to Christmas
Learn poems with the children, which they can then recite on Christmas Eve. For example “Knecht Ruprecht” by the Husum poet Theodor Storm (1817-1888). Listen to and sing Christmas carols: for example “O Tannenbaum” or “O du Fröhliche”. The Christmas markets traditionally start around the first Advent, the city centers are illuminated and the houses and living spaces are festively decorated. The Advent wreath usually has four candles, which are lit one after the other on Advent Sundays. At home in the run-up to Christmas, straw stars are made, cookies and stollen are baked and loving gift packages are packed for friends and relatives who are further away. In general, a lot of people think about others: It’s the time for fundraising galas on TV, Secret Santa parties with friends and colleagues and for Christmas mail: beautiful decorative cards are sent to far-away friends and acquaintances. From December 1st, children (and… more and more adults) doors on Advent calendars are opened every day. St. Nicholas Day on December 6th is also celebrated. Carefully polished shoes contain nuts, tangerines and small first gifts. Traditionally, a Christmas tree is placed in the Christmas room shortly before the festival. Decorated with baubles and candles, it shines in full splendor on Christmas Eve. The actual Christmas day is December 25th. But the evening before, Christmas Eve, Christmas is celebrated – if possible with the family. There are also certain traditions for the holiday meal and every family has a favorite food. Whether it’s the raclette or fondue on Christmas Eve, the roasted goose with red cabbage and dumplings or potato salad with sausages: it should make everyone happy. Christmas Eve also includes the giving of presents: Christmas-wrapped gift packages are traditionally placed under the tree first and can then be opened .
Who brings the presents
The custom of giving presents at Christmas has existed since the Biedermeier period. The bearers of the gifts are (for everyone who believes in it) the Christ child in the south of the country or, in the north, Santa Claus.
Both sometimes ring the doorbell in real life and come to the families as costume characters.
For most people, Christmas is over with the second holiday. In the church’s understanding, the Catholic Christmas season lasts until February 2nd (Candlemas). The Protestant Christians put away their Christmas things after January 6th (Epiphany).
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