On the night of December 24th, Santa Claus brings presents and fills stockings for children to unwrap on the morning of the 25th. At least, that’s how 90% of America celebrates Christmas, one of the few traditions that remain similar for everybody. However, that is not how Christmas is celebrated in Germany. German traditions vary greatly from those in America; instead, they revolve around Nikolaus and are celebrated in generally different ways than within America.
In Germany, Weihnachten is usually celebrated on the evening of the 24th Weihnachtsabend. About 81% of people in Germany celebrate it in some way, many go to a children-church service, where children tell the Weihnachtsgeschichte (nativity), or perform the Krippenspiel (a play of the nativity). Then they go back home and the children get their presents or have to go upstairs so the Weihnachtsmann can bring them. There are no stockings, just presents, usually under the Christmas tree. Many families meet, have dinner, celebrate or follow other traditions. On the 25th and 26th, the first and second Weihnachtstag, celebrations either continue, or the cleaning begins and people drive to the mountains and go skiing.
The first time Christmas was celebrated on these three days was in 325 AD. Until the fifth century, it was a simple celebration, then traditions like Christmas songs, the Nativity Scene and festive decorations became popular. After the medieval age, Christmas trees and Nativity Scenes were set up in homes. Protestant families started to do the Bescherung (present giving) on the 24th because until then St. Nikolaus brought the presents on the 6th of December but the Protestant church doesn’t honor saints so they moved the day of presents to the 24th on which the Christkind brings the presents. And over time, the Weihnachtsmann, out of the Nikolaus, became popular as the person to bring the presents and nowadays both confessions celebrate on the 24th. On the 6th the Nikolaus brings small presents and on the 24th the Weihnachtsmann or Christkind brings big presents.
The Nikolaus celebrations are very similar to American stockings, but there are some differences, other than the day. On the 5th of December, the children clean their Stiefel (Boots). In the night then, the Nikolaus typically fills them with candy, nuts, fruits like oranges, mandarins or apples, little presents and useful things like gloves or socks. The naughty ones get a stick or coal. He is also the one who usually gets a plate with milk, cookies or other little things.
The Christmas Tree and its decorating also has his origin in Germany. It has its origin in the 17th century, although the first ones were probably already placed in the 16th century, and the evergreen tree symbolizes life and hope. It became common in the 18th century and when in 1840 Prince Albert von Sachsen-Coburg-Gotha married Queen Victoria of England and they followed German traditions, it also started to spread in England and through immigrants in America, where in 1891 the first. Christmas Tree stood in front of the White House. The Christmas Tree originally was decorated with stored winter apples by the poor and golden fruits by the nobles who later also used silvered glass balls. Today it is usually covered with red, gold or silver Christbaumkugeln, Lametta (tinsel), electronic candles, a golden angel or star on the top and other things, although that varies from family to family and not everyone has a Christmas tree.
Just like in America, the time before Christmas, the Weihnachtszeit, has traditions too. Usually families have an Adventskranz (advent wreath) with the four candles that they light up for every Sunday to Christmas that has passed. Advent calendars are also popular in Germany, no matter if self-made, filled or bought. One thing that is becoming more popular but isn’t very common in the US yet, but is a tradition in Germany are Weihnachtsmärkte (Christmas markets). Nearly every town at least has one weekend of small wooden huts, lights, mulled wine, cookies and other nice, often hand-made, gifts. The Aachener Weihnachtsmarkt is yearly visited by over 1 million locals and tourists from Germany and abroad. The last thing, that traditionally is set up for Christmas is the Krippe. It is usually made out of wood and represents Jesus birth in the stable where he is surrounded by his parents, the shepherds that were guided by angels, the three wise men or kings, angels and animals like ox, sheep and a donkey. Christmas music is playing, everything shines and everyone is getting ready for Christmas.
But no matter how, where and when Christmas is celebrated, no matter what age or nationality the people are, it is a season of love and joy where everyone comes together and celebrates.
