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Weihnachten in Deutschland
Adventszeit
*Advent marks the beginning of the Christmas season. *It starts four weeks before Christmas.*The Advent Wreath (Adventskranz) is a very popular
decoration in German homes. It consists of a circular wreath of pine-branches with four candles on it.
*On the first Advent Sunday, the first candle on the wreath is lit, two candles are lit on the second, three on the third and all four on the fourth Sunday, immediately prior to Christmas.
*Kids also get a small toy each Advent Sunday.
Adventkalendar
* Most German children will have an Adventskalender. For each day up to Christmas in December, there is a door to be opened. Sometimes behind this door you will find a picture or a piece of chocolate
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Der Weihnachtsbaum
The very first Christmas trees were decorated in Germany in the 1600’s.
One legend says that a German preacher named Martin Luther was walking in the forest one night and thought that the stars shining on the trees were beautiful. So he cut down the tree and decorated it with candles, which represent Christ, the light of the world.
Germans prefer to use real candles on their trees. They keep a bucket of water in the room and there is always someone present in the room when the candles are lit. The candles are also always placed towards the tip of the branch.
If they do use electric lights, they are imitations of white and red candles, not colored or flickering lights like we have.
Sankt Nikolaus
The people of Germany celebrate St. Nikolaus Day on December 6th.
St. Nikolaus wears a long robe and a pointed hat. He carries a cane and has a long white beard. He is known to be the Saint of Children.
On December 5th, German children leave their shoes out for St. Nikolaus . When they awake on December 6th, their shoes are filled with toys and treats
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Legend of Sankt Nikolaus
There was a poor man who had three daughters. Hewas so poor, he did not have enough money for a dowry, so his daughters couldn't get married.(A dowry is a sum of money paid to the bridegroom by the brides parents on the wedding day. This still happens in some countries.) One night, Nikolaus , a bishop in the town, secretly dropped a bag of gold down the chimney and into the house (This meant that the oldest daughter was
then able to be married.). The bag fell into a stocking that had been
hung by the fire to dry! This was repeated later with the second daughter.
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Legend of Sankt Nicolaus
Finally, determined to discover the person who had given him the money, the father secretly hid by the fireevery evening until he caught Nikolaus dropping in a bag of gold. Nikolaus begged the man to not tell
anyone what he had done, because he did not want to bring attention to himself. But soon the news got out and when anyone received a secret gift, it was thought that maybe it was from Nikolaus . He continued to be kind and generous to all. He died on December 6th.
Because of his kindness Nikolaus wasmade a Saint. St. Nikolaus is known as the saint of children.
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Schwarzer Peter
Sometimes Schwarzer Peter comes with Sankt Nikolaus. In one legend, he would punish the naughty kids. His main goal was to scare the kids into being good. Today, the kids are not punished, but kids do not want to find a switch (stick) or coal in their shoes.
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Heiliger Abend
Germany celebrates Christmas on Christmas Eve, December 24.
Shops are open much of the day and celebrations do not start before the afternoon.
Christmas Eve is now the most important day of the German celebration. But there's no Santa Claus coming down the chimney,no reindeer (the German Santa rides a white horse), no waiting for Christmas morning!
Families with young children often keep the living room closed off, revealing the Christmas tree to the excited youngsters only at the last minute (the tree isn’t decorated until the 24th).
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Der Heiliger Abend The decorated Tannenbaum
is the center of the Bescherung, the exchanging of gifts, which takes place on Christmas Eve, either before or after dinner.
Neither Santa Claus nor St. Nicholas brings children their gifts for Christmas. In most regions, the angelic Christkindl or the more secular Weihnachtsmann is the bringer of gifts that don't come from other family members or friends.
Many families conclude the evening by attending a midnight Christmas Mass.
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Weihnachtsmarkt
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Weihnachtsessen
Lebkuchen
Stollen
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WeihnachtschmuckCompany Logo
Weihanchtschmuck
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2 Weihnachten Tagen
December 25th is known as the "First Day of Christmas"(der erste Weihnachtstag) and, in comparison with the 24th of December, is a quiet day, often spent either visiting relatives or else being visited by them. Goose is still widely eaten for the main meal,
December 26th, the "Second Day of Christmas“(der zweite Weihnachtstag) is traditional spent with
family and friends.
Drei Könige Tag
January 6th is Drei Könige Tage (Three King’s Day)
It is the celebration of the three wise men who saw the star.
It is the official end to the Christmas season
The Tannenbaum stays up until this day.
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Weihnachtslieder
Stille Nacht Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Alles schläft; einsam wachtNur das traute hochheilige Paar.Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!
Silent night, holy nightAll is calm all is bright'Round yon virgin Mother and ChildHoly infant so tender and mildSleep in heavenly peaceSleep in heavenly peace
Weihnachtslieder
O’Tannenbaum O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
wie treu sind deine Blätter!Du grünst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit,Nein auch im Winter, wenn es schneit.O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,wie treu sind deine Blätter!
O Christmas tree, o Christmas treeHow loyal are your leaves/needles!You're green not only in the summertime,No, also in winter when it snows.O Christmas tree, o Christmas treeHow loyal are your leaves/needles!
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Weihnachtslieder
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,
klingt es weit und breit.Schön ist eine Schlittenfahrtim Winter wenn es schneit.Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,klingt es weit und breit.Mach' mit mir 'ne Schneeballschlacht,der Winter steht bereit!
A little white snowmanthat stands before my door,a little white snowmanthat wasn't here yesterday,and next to him the sleighthat invites both of usfor the very first rideinto a fairytale land.
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Morgen kommt der Weihnachtmann Traditional melody (same as "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little
Morgen kommt der Weihnachtsmann,Kommt mit seinen Gaben.Trommel, Pfeifen und Gewehr,Fahn und Säbel und noch mehr,Ja ein ganzes Kriegesheer,Möcht' ich gerne haben.
Tomorrow Santa's coming,Coming with his gifts.Drum, pipes and gun,Flag and saber and still moreYes, an entire armyI'd like to have.
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Kling Glockchen Kling, Glöckchen, klingelingeling!
Kling, Glöckchen, kling!Laßt mich ein, ihr Kinder!Ist so kalt der Winter!Öffnet mir die Türen!Laßt mich nicht erfrieren!Kling, Glöckchen, klingelingeling!Kling, Glöckchen, kling!
Ring, little bell, ringalingaling!Ring, little bell, ring!Let me in, you kids!So cold is the winter!Open the doors for me!Don't let me freeze!Ring, little bell, ringalingaling!Ring, little bell, ring!
