By Believe it or not, many of the traditions practiced in the Western Hemisphere come from Germany. In this article, you will see the different ways that have adapted the Catholic and Protestant Christianity present in Germany.
Christmas Markets
One of the oldest popular customs in Europe established by the German culture is the traditional Christmas markets. Almost every city in Germany sets up its own markets offering everything from carved wooden ornaments to German sweets, thick chocolate, and more. Some cities come to have more than 60 markets, each with hundreds of stalls.
First Christmas Tree
The first Christmas tree was first documented in Strasbourg, when it belonged to Germany around the seventeenth century. Back then trees with apples, nuts and paper towels were decorated. Today, these decorations have become colored balls and tinsel, also a tradition created by the Germans.
According to legend, Martin Luther was the prominent monk who helped with the Protestant Reformation began with the custom of illuminating the trees with candles. Legend has it that after observing a tree illuminated by the moon, it was inspired by small candles to put the tree at home.
Family Traditions
In Germany, they celebrated the prelude days to Christmas, called Advent. One of the traditions is the Adventskranz, a normally evergreen wreath with four candles, which are lit one for each Sunday four weeks before Christmas. But the most popular tradition is an Advent calendar of the 24 days before Christmas.
Usually a decorated box and its facade takes 24 windows representing the days in December. With the passage of time are opening the doors of the calendar which is representative images and scenes of Christmas.
Despite Western traditions, St. Nicholas, better known as Heigle der Nikolaus comes on the eve of 6 January. It will not necessarily be wearing a red suit, but increasingly are adapting to American traditions, or ride in a sledge led by deer. This looks more like a holy bishop and carrying a cane, accompanied by several Krampus, small deformed creatures.
According to legend, Nikolaus or also known as ‘Weihnachtsmann’ Christmas man would go from house to house with small gifts for children. Therefore, every year it is a custom to leave shoes at the door, and the next day you wake and see the shoe filled with candy, sweets, nuts, oranges and chocolate figurines shaped like St. Nicholas.
Christmas Eve
While the parties extend until January 6, the day of Epiphany, December 24 is perhaps the most anticipated and celebrated night during Christmas. The activities usually begin with Christmas tree at home. Usually parents decorate the tree with lights and ornaments and uncover to their children before the night as a surprise. That night gifts come from the Christmas angel, a typical tradition of Protestant Christianity, but today it has been replaced by Western ways so Santa Claus are also exchanged.
There are also many families attend midnight mass where German carols are sung.
Eve dinner consists of roast goose in the oven and served with potatoes, red cabbage salad and garlic dumplings and cheese.
