Worldwide Christmas Traditions - How German Holidays Differ
When you are a little kid you dont ask questions. You are told that jesus was born on Christmas, and it so happens that on the same day Saint Nicolaus comes along every year and gives gifts to all of the children of the world by flying on a magical sleigh with 9 reindeer. You believe it. So when I eventually grew up, and moved to Germany, I asked all of the questions. Turns out parents around the globe have been telling all sorts of stories in December and although some have stayed the same across the globe, many traditions didnt get too far.
Christmas Trees - "Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if wood was scarce. It is a widely held belief that Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer, first added lighted candles to a tree. Walking toward his home one winter evening, composing a sermon, he was awed by the brilliance of stars twinkling amidst evergreens. To recapture the scene for his family, he erected a tree in the main room and wired its branches with lighted candles." (History Channel)
Advent Calendars - "The Advent calendar was first used by German Lutherans in the 19th and 20th centuries but is now ubiquitous among adherents of many Christian denominations. Many Advent calendars take the form of a large rectangular card with "windows", of which there are usually 24: one for each day of December leading up to Christmas Eve. Often, these windows have a Bible verse and prayer printed on them, which Christian families incorporate as part of their daily Advent devotions. Consecutive doors are opened every day leading up to Christmas. The calendar windows open to reveal an image, poem, a portion of a story (such as the story of the Nativity of Jesus) or a small gift, such as a toy or a chocolate item. Advent calendars range in theme, from sports to technology, often carrying Scripture verses." (Wikipedia)
Father Christmas - "The legend of Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named St. Nicholas. It is believed that Nicholas was born sometime around 280 A.D. in Patara, near Myra in modern-day Turkey. Much admired for his piety and kindness, St. Nicholas became the subject of many legends. It is said that he gave away all of his inherited wealth and traveled the countryside helping the poor and sick. One of the best known of the St. Nicholas stories is that he saved three poor sisters from being sold into slavery or prostitution by their father by providing them with a dowry so that they could be married. Over the course of many years, Nicholas’s popularity spread and he became known as the protector of children and sailors. His feast day is celebrated on the anniversary of his death, December 6. This was traditionally considered a lucky day to make large purchases or to get married. By the Renaissance, St. Nicholas was the most popular saint in Europe. Even after the Protestant Reformation, when the veneration of saints began to be discouraged, St. Nicholas maintained a positive reputation, especially in Holland." (History Channel)
"Evil Santa" Krampus - "Krampus is the dark companion of St. Nicholas, [who is left with the] task of punishing bad children [as a] hell-bound counterpart. Usually seen as a classic devil with horns, cloven hooves and monstrous tongue, but can also be spotted as a sinister gentleman dressed in black, or a hairy man-beast. Krampus punishes the naughty children, swatting them with switches and rusty chains before dragging them, in baskets, to a fiery place below. Krampus is celebrated on Krampusnacht, which takes place on the eve of St. Nicholas’ Day. Party-goers masquerade as devils, wild-men, and witches to participate in Krampuslauf (Krampus Run). Intoxicated and bearing torches, costumed devils caper and carouse through the streets terrifying child and adult alike." (Krampus.com)
Marzipan Pigs - "Germans traditionally give each other a "Glücksbringer" (a bringer of luck) on New Year's Eve. Among the most popular of all "Glücksbringer" is a "Glücksschwein" (lucky pig). According to German tradition, the "Schwein" (pig) brings good luck over the coming 12 months. Similarly, the German phrase "Schwein haben" - which literally means "to have pig" - actually implies "to be lucky." Its special status in this regard purportedly dates back to old decks of playing cards, in which the ace was known as "die Sau" (a sow, or female pig). The upshot: the expression "Schwein haben" became a synonym for being lucky. Yet the pig as a positive symbol also dates back to ancient times, when the wild boar was revered as a holy animal by the Germanic tribes of central Europe and southern Scandinavia. The domestic pig eventually became a symbol of wealth and good standing in society, because it was regarded as a symbol of strength and fertility." (Germany.info)