Christmas Traditions In Germany

Germany has numerous traditions that it shares with the 9 neighboring countries that abut it. They also have quite a few that they have started themselves.

In the United States children write their letters to Santa Claus and mail them to the North Pole with their respective wish lists. In some other countries the children will write their letters and throw them in the fire so that the smoke will take their lists to Santa at the the North Pole.

German children have a slightly different tradition though. They write their letters to the Christkind or Christ Child. They seal them in envelopes and decorate the envelope with sugar and glue to make them glitter in the moon light. They then place them on the windowsill where their parents usually pick them up to leave the appearance that the Christkind has stopped by to receive them.

Another tradition is for the children to fill their shoes with hay, straw and carrots and leave them out in front of the door. They are trying to tempt Saint Nicholas to stop and feed his white stallion. He will then repay them by refilling their shoes with candy and toys.

The tradition of the Christmas tree was started in Germany and Christmas trees are quite popular there. How the tradition of the Christmas tree started is a matter of much debate.

The first tale is of a wood cutter who encountered a lone hungry child while out cutting trees. He befriended and fed the child. After the meal the child continued on his way. The next day the child appeared to the wood cutter and his wife as a spirit and thanked him for his kindness. He then explained that he was the Christ Child, Christkind to the Germans.

He gave the wood cutter a sprig from an evergreen tree and explained that this tree would bear fruit year round. This lead to the Germans felling evergreen trees and decorating them with ribbons, candies, etc. to celebrate the Christkind.

The other tale of how the Christmas tree came about is attributed to Martin Luther. He supposedly brought in an evergreen tree one year from outside and decorated it with candles. The candles were to represent the light of Jesus Christ and the heavens according to tradition.

Article written by Michael Paetzold

Michael Paetzold is the webmaster of http://ChristmasAcrossTheGlobe.com where you can find more information on various tradittions for the Christmas season from around the world along with a variety of Christmas tips from decorating to gift buying.

Other Christmas Around World Resources:

Family Christmas Traditions from Germany
German legend says that, on Christmas Eve, all the rivers turn to wine, the animals speak to each other and to humans, trees bear fruit, church bells ring from the sea, and gems pour forth from the mountains. Is it any wonder, then, that family Christmas traditions in Germany are bold, beautiful, and full of cheer?

How to Start Family Christmas Traditions
Christmas traditions bring families together. If your family doesn’t have any family traditions, or you would like to start new Christmas traditions, it is actually fun and easy to do. Here is how.

Keeping Christ in Christmas
Christmas is a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, the anointed one and His anointing. It is a most Holy day and cannot be celebrated without remembering Christ's death and resurrection.

Christmas Decorations And Social Customs
In many countries, businesses, schools, and communities have Christmas parties and dances in the weeks before Christmas. Christmas pageants may include a retelling of the story of the birth of Christ. Groups may visit neighborhood homes to sing Christmas carols. Others do volunteer work or hold fundraising drives for charities.

Kids Domain - Christmas Around the World
Here is some fun information about traditions and celebrations around the world

Why Christmas
Find out about why we have Christmas traditions and customs, how Christmas is celebrated in different countries around the world and why Christmas exists, to celebrate the birth of Jesus, in the Christmas Story.

Christmas Around the World
All around the world, people celebrate Christmas. And all around the world, people have taken the celebration of the birth of Jesus and made a Christmas that fits their own country.

Education World ® - Lesson Planning: Christmas Around the World
A world of activities and Internet sites focused on the traditions and spirit of Christmas.

Other Links

Christian Music Zig Ziglar Books Success Bookstore

Wedding Planning Hotel Reservations Automobile University

English Springer Spaniels Star Wars Collectibles Custom Jewelry

© COPYRIGHT 2008 VIC BILSON - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED