Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Some German Christmas Traditions



The biggest difference we've noticed and have enjoyed is the emphasis on Advents.  Here, we are making Advents wreaths with friends.  Every Sunday for the four weeks leading up to Christmas, you light a new candle.  Some people have a special dinner, sing songs, recite poems, or play games, etc.

The girls had candles at school as well (even in kindergarten) and learned how to light their own.  They also had advents calendars where a different child got a surprise every day.  At home, most children have advents calendars, as well, with everything from chocolate to Playmobil People.

We even went to a few live advents nights at people's houses where they unveil the number on their window, which is all decorated, have music, hot drinks, treats, etc.  One time, they had a shadow nativity play in a garage when it was raining.

When we went Christmas caroling to neighbors and friends as a family, we were surprised to have people trying to give us money.  We were also surprised they were so reluctant to accept our gift of a little cardboard house filled with cookies.  It turns out that Stern (Star) Singers come from the Catholic Church and expect donations, sometimes even in a little cardboard house!

Everyone kept asking us if we were going to celebrate Christmas like the Germans and have presents on Christmas Eve or like Americans and open them on Christmas morning.  Our girls decided both would be best!

On Christmas Eve, we went to a children's Nativity service.  It was fun to join in singing the German Christmas songs.

One of my favorite parts of the season was not having a separation of Church and State.  It was fun celebrating in the church with the kids' schoolmates and as a community.

This Friday, we get another holiday to celebrate when the Three Kings came to visit the Savior.  We've heard something about hiding a toy in a cake...

1 comment:

Kristin said...

I love each and every post you put on here. Please know I read them all. I really loved the story of the guitar. Happy Anniversary and Happy Birthday to Carly. :) And Happy New Year to all of you.