Christmas in Germany A guide to how Christmas is celebrated in Germany.

Songs and Carols Ein kleiner weißer Schneemann Jingle Bells (melody) DEUTSCH Ein kleiner weißer Schneemann der steht vor meiner Tür, ein kleiner weißer Schneemann der stand gestern noch nicht hier, und neben dran der Schlitten, der lädt uns beide ein, zur aller ersten Schlittenfahrt ins Märchenland hinein. Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, klingt es weit und breit. Schön ist eine Schlittenfahrt im Winter wenn es schneit. Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, klingt es weit und breit. Mach' mit mir 'ne Schneeballschlacht, der Winter steht bereit! ENGLISH A little white snowman that stands before my door, a little white snowman that wasn't here yesterday, and next to him the sleigh that invites both of us for the very first ride into a fairytale land. Jingle bells, jingle bells, it rings out far and wide. A sleigh ride is nice in winter when it snows. Jingle bells, jingle bells, it rings out far and wide. Let's have a snowball fight, winter stands ready!

DEUTSCHMusic: Franz Xaver Gruber, 1818Words: Joseph Mohr, 1816/1818Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,Alles schläft; einsam wachtNur das traute hochheilige Paar.Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,Hirten erst kundgemachtDurch der Engel Halleluja,Tönt es laut von fern und nah:Christ, der Retter ist da!Christ, der Retter ist da!Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,Gottes Sohn, o wie lachtLieb' aus deinem göttlichen Mund,Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund'.Christ, in deiner Geburt!Christ, in deiner Geburt!Heute singt man nur die Strophen 1, 6 und 2 (oben) von der originellen Joseph-Mohr-Version (1816).DEUTSCHMusic: Franz Xaver Gruber, 1818Words: Joseph Mohr, 1816/1818Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,Alles schläft; einsam wachtNur das traute hochheilige Paar.Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,Hirten erst kundgemachtDurch der Engel Halleluja,Tönt es laut von fern und nah:Christ, der Retter ist da!Christ, der Retter ist da!Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,Gottes Sohn, o wie lachtLieb' aus deinem göttlichen Mund,Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund'.Christ, in deiner Geburt!Christ, in deiner Geburt!Heute singt man nur die Strophen 1, 6 und 2 (oben) von der originellen Joseph-Mohr-Version (1816). ENGLISHMusic: Franz Xaver Gruber, 1818Words: John Freeman Young, 1863Silent night, holy nightAll is calm all is bright'Round yon virgin Mother and ChildHoly infant so tender and mildSleep in heavenly peaceSleep in heavenly peaceENGLISHMusic: Franz Xaver Gruber, 1818Words: John Freeman Young, 1863Silent 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 DEUTSCHMusic: Franz Xaver Gruber, 1818Words: Joseph Mohr, 1816/1818Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,Alles schläft; einsam wachtNur das traute hochheilige Paar.Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,Hirten erst kundgemachtDurch der Engel Halleluja,Tönt es laut von fern und nah:Christ, der Retter ist da!Christ, der Retter ist da!Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,Gottes Sohn, o wie lachtLieb' aus deinem göttlichen Mund,Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund'.Christ, in deiner Geburt!Christ, in deiner Geburt!Heute singt man nur die Strophen 1, 6 und 2 (oben) von der originellen Joseph-Mohr-Version (1816).DEUTSCHMusic: Franz Xaver Gruber, 1818Words: Joseph Mohr, 1816/1818Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,Alles schläft; einsam wachtNur das traute hochheilige Paar.Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,Hirten erst kundgemachtDurch der Engel Halleluja,Tönt es laut von fern und nah:Christ, der Retter ist da!Christ, der Retter ist da!Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,Gottes Sohn, o wie lachtLieb' aus deinem göttlichen Mund,Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund'.Christ, in deiner Geburt!Christ, in deiner Geburt!Heute singt man nur die Strophen 1, 6 und 2 (oben) von der originellen Joseph-Mohr-Version (1816). ENGLISHMusic: Franz Xaver Gruber, 1818Words: John Freeman Young, 1863Silent night, holy nightAll is calm all is bright'Round yon virgin Mother and ChildHoly infant so tender and mildSleep in heavenly peaceSleep in heavenly peaceENGLISHMusic: Franz Xaver Gruber, 1818Words: John Freeman Young, 1863Silent 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 English Silent night, holy night All is calm all is bright 'Round yon virgin Mother and Child Holy infant so tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace Sleep in heavenly peace DEUTSCH Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht, Alles schläft; einsam wacht Nur das traute hochheilige Paar. Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar, Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh! Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh! Music: Franz Xaver Gruber, 1818 Words: Joseph Mohr, 1816/1818

Recipes Lebkuchen Ingredients: *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* 3-1/2 tbsp unpeeled almonds 3-1/2 tbsp hazelnuts 1-1/4 cup flour 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp sugar a pinch of salt 1/2 cup + 6 tbsp butter, cold and cut into small pieces 2 egg yolks 5 packets vanilla sugar 1/2 cup powdered sugar Cooking: *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Pour boiling water over the almonds, remove the skins and finely chop. Finely chop the hazelnuts. Sift the flour onto a large wooden board. Make a well in the flour and add the almonds, hazelnuts, sugar, salt, butter and egg yolks. Knead dough until it is smooth and pliable, but do not over knead. Wrap the dough in aluminum foil and let rest for 2 hours in the refrigerator. Preheat the oven to 375° F (200°C). Divide the dough and form into several pencil-thick rolls. Cut the rolls into 2 inch lengths and bend into crescent shapes. Place on cookie sheets and bake on middle rack until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Stir the vanilla sugar and powdered sugar together in a shallow bowl. Carefully dip the still warm crescent cookies in the sugar. Tip: to store the cookies so they won't break, stack them lengthwise between wax paper in a cookie tin.

German Stollen Ingredients: *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* 1/2 cup raisins 1/2 cup candied red cherries, halved 1/4 cup currants 1/4 cup candied citron, diced 1/4 cup rum 4 1/2 cup flour 2 yeast, active dry packages 1 cup milk 1/4 cup butter or margarine Cooking: *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* In a medium bowl combine raisins, cherries, currants, citron or citrus peel, and rum. Set aside. In a large mixer bowl combine 1-1/2 cups of the flour and yeast. Heat milk, butter, sugar and salt over low heat, stirring constantly until warm (120F to 130F). Add to dry ingredients along with eggs and fruit peels. Beat at low speed of electric mixer for 1/2 minute, scraping sides of bowl. Beat 3 minutes at high speed. Stir in fruit-rum mixture, almonds and enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead in enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately soft dough that is smooth and elastic (5 to 6 minutes). Shape into a ball. Place in a greased bowl, turning once. Cover. Let rise until double (1 hour). Punch dough down. Divide in half. Cover and let rest 10 minutes. On a lightly floured surface roll each half to a 10x8-inch oval. Fold lengthwise in half so the top half overlaps to within 1/2 inch of the bottom half. Press folded edge firmly. Place about 4-inches apart on greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise until double (45 minutes). Bake at 200 degrees Celsius for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool. Serve sprinkled with powdered sugar or spread with Confectioners' Glaze and decorate with candied cherries. Makes 2 loaves. CONFECTIONERS' GLAZE Mix 1 cup sifted powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon milk. Add more milk, 1/2 teaspoon at a time, until spreading consistency. German Stollen Ingredients: *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* 1/2 cup raisins 1/2 cup candied red cherries, halved 1/4 cup currants 1/4 cup candied citron, diced 1/4 cup rum 4 1/2 cup flour 2 yeast, active dry packages 1 cup milk 1/4 cup butter or margarine Cooking: *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* In a medium bowl combine raisins, cherries, currants, citron or citrus peel, and rum. Set aside. In a large mixer bowl combine 1-1/2 cups of the flour and yeast. Heat milk, butter, sugar and salt over low heat, stirring constantly until warm (120F to 130F). Add to dry ingredients along with eggs and fruit peels. Beat at low speed of electric mixer for 1/2 minute, scraping sides of bowl. Beat 3 minutes at high speed. Stir in fruit-rum mixture, almonds and enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead in enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately soft dough that is smooth and elastic (5 to 6 minutes). Shape into a ball. Place in a greased bowl, turning once. Cover. Let rise until double (1 hour). Punch dough down. Divide in half. Cover and let rest 10 minutes. On a lightly floured surface roll each half to a 10x8-inch oval. Fold lengthwise in half so the top half overlaps to within 1/2 inch of the bottom half. Press folded edge firmly. Place about 4-inches apart on greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise until double (45 minutes). Bake at 200 degrees Celsius for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool. Serve sprinkled with powdered sugar or spread with Confectioners' Glaze and decorate with candied cherries. Makes 2 loaves. CONFECTIONERS' GLAZE Mix 1 cup sifted powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon milk. Add more milk, 1/2 teaspoon at a time, until spreading consistency. 1/4 cup sugar 1/2 tsp. salt 2 eggs 1 tbsp. orange peel, finely shredded 2 tsp. lemon peel, finely shredded 1/2 cup almonds, blanched chopped

The story of St Nicholas…. The Man Behind the Story of Father Christmas St. Nicholas was a Bishop who lived in the fourth century AD in a place called Myra in Asia Minor (now called Turkey). He was a very rich man because his parents died when he was young and left him a lot of money. He was also a very kind man and had a reputation for helping the poor and giving secret gifts to people who needed it. There are several legends about St. Nicholas, although we don't know if any of them are true! The most famous story about St. Nicholas tells how the custom of hanging up stockings to get presents in first started! It goes like this...

The story of St Nicholas… There was a poor man who had three daughters. He was 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, even today.) One night, Nicholas 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.

The story of St Nicholas…. Finally, determined to discover the person who had given him the money, the father secretly hid by the fire every evening until he caught Nicholas dropping in a bag of gold. Nicholas 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 Nicholas. Because of his kindness Nicholas was made a Saint. St. Nicholas is not only the saint of children but also of sailors! year.

Photographs…. The Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market in Berlin. A German Christmas tree

Photographs…. Someone dressed as St Nicholas ‘Lebkuchen’ christmas biscuits Traditional German Dinner

Photographs…. Christmas Market Stall A typical town square at Christmas

German Christmas Traditions Advent Advent marks the beginning of the build-up to Christmas, starting on the Sunday after 26th of November. It begins with quiet contemplative days in November, but excitement and activity increase as Christmas approaches, accompanied by the usual shopping, preparation of special food and Advent celebrations. 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 Sunday in Advent, 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.

St. Nicholas Day For children the highlight of Advent is St. Nicholas’ Day (Nikolaustag) on 6th of December. Originally children left hay and straw for St. Nicholas’ horses but now they simply put a shoe or boot outside their bedroom door, window or by the fireplace on the evening of 5th of December, hoping to find it full of sweets, biscuits, nuts and fruit the next morning. In appearance St. Nicholas is similar to Father Christmas or Santa Claus, dressed in a red gown, with a white beard, boots and a sack. St. Nicholas Day For children the highlight of Advent is St. Nicholas’ Day (Nikolaustag) on 6th of December. Originally children left hay and straw for St. Nicholas’ horses but now they simply put a shoe or boot outside their bedroom door, window or by the fireplace on the evening of 5th of December, hoping to find it full of sweets, biscuits, nuts and fruit the next morning. In appearance St. Nicholas is similar to Father Christmas or Santa Claus, dressed in a red gown, with a white beard, boots and a sack.

Christmas Eve Christmas Eve (der Heilige Abend, literally the "Holy Evening") is the climax of the German Christmas. Shops and offices close at mid-day or 1pm, and most people spend the afternoon at home in preparation for the later celebrations. The tree is decorated with straw stars, foil and glass decorations, apples, gilded nuts, ring biscuits, Lebkuchen (spicy biscuits), chocolate or marzipan decorations, wooden angels, pine cones, tinsel, and wax candles or electric lights. Presents are placed either under the tree, with the crib if there is one, or else on the "present table" (der Gabentisch). When everything is prepared, normally just after dark, a little bell is rung as a signal that the children may come in to see the lighted tree and Receive their presents (die Bescherung). Before the exchange of gifts takes place, the Christmas story is often read by the light of the candles and favourite Christmas carols are sung. Since the Middle Ages carp has been a traditional food for the evening meal on Christmas Eve. However, all kinds of food are eaten nowadays on Christmas Eve evening. But the traditional Christmas foods mentioned in the St. Nicholas rhyme, apples and nuts and almonds (in the form of marzipan) still remain favourite Christmas nibbles. Depending on whether the family is Roman Catholic or Protestant they will probably go to church at midnight or in the late afternoon. The rest of the evening is enjoyed as a family get-together, with the children playing with new toys, and all partaking of the Christmas goodies.

Christmas Day 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, but is by no means as obligatory a Christmas dinner as turkey is in Britain. December 26th, the "Second Day of Christmas“ (der zweite Weihnachtstag) also known as St. Stephen’s Day, has much the same function as the day before, being another public holiday and a day of family reunions or outings.

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