Today, one day before Christmas Eve, I want to share a post again that I wrote several years ago. Recently, when I talked with my class about German Christmas traditions, I noticed how much I miss my native country around this time. So I thought I share our German Christmas Eve with you again.
In Germany, our “big day” is not Christmas Day (and we even have two of them!) but Christmas Eve – Heilig Abend (Holy Eve) as it is called. It usually starts out hectic, often with the last big shopping because all of the stores and supermarkets will be closed for the following two days. But around 2:00 pm the shops (including the grocery stores) close and by 3:00 pm at the latest a magical silence covers the entire country like a beautiful veil. The ideal December 24th brings snow in the afternoon and turns the world into a winter wonderland by the time the first church bells start to ring.
Oh, the sound of church bells – how much do I miss this! They ring every day (at 6:00 or 7:00 in the morning, at noon and again at 6:00 pm), but on Christmas Eve all the bells are ringing, from the smallest, highest pitch to the biggest one with the deepest, loudest sound. It’s a concert of bells that resounds through the silence, calling for mass. Christmas services start in the later afternoon, the first ones mainly for smaller children, showing nativity plays and involving the kids. Later in the evening follow the more “grown-up” services with meaningful sermons and the old German Christmas carols sung by the congregation. Everybody knows these songs and since the churches are always packed on Christmas Eve it is a strong and joyful singing.
After church it’s back home – and waiting for Christkind (Christ Child). Yes – it often is not Santa coming through the chimney (there are not that many houses with a fireplace anyway) but Christkind. When I was a child I always envisioned Christkind with golden curly hair and a flowing white dress, an angelic smile on its face. It would place the presents in “die gute Stube” (“the good room” = living room) and magically disappear, unseen by anyone. The children are called in and they stand in awe looking at the Christmas tree – that was brought in and decorated only the day before (or even in the morning) and very often carries real candles on its branches. I have always loved the real candles, it smells differently and the whole atmosphere is – yes, magical. After singing a few Christmas carols everybody opens their presents accompanied by Christmas music on the radio.
And if you’re still awake or missed the afternoon/evening service you can go to midnight mass – always my favorite Christmas service. A huge tree is lit (some with real candles – we live dangerously in Germany!), the atmosphere is festive and peaceful – it is our “Silent Night, Holy Night”.
May the magic of Christmas touch your heart, wherever you are.
Thank you. You can repost this each and every year. Just reading it I could feel the silence and the associated peace.
ReplyDeleteThe very happiest of Christmases to you and to yours.
This is so beautiful, Carola. I love hearing about traditions in other countries and they are all the more meaningful when connected to someone I "know." It does sound magical. I remember in another post you said no one does Christmas quite like Germany -- and here, I can see exactly how!
ReplyDeleteMerriest to you!
Christmas is really beautiful here in Germany, that's true. I'm on my own, so I don't celebrate, just have a quiet evening. All the best to you and your family, hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, touching, description of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Germany!
ReplyDeleteIt starts with the silence after the closing of stores,next the ringing of the Church bells,Christmas services for kids, services for adults, singing of carols.
Back home, contemplating the Christmas tree, singing carols, opening the presents.
Wishing you a Happy Christmas and New Year!
Oh, I always love it when I see Christmas trees lit with the real candles. They used to do that back in the day, what a wonderful tradition. I loved hearing about your German Christmases. I bet you miss them very much, Carola. It sounds nice and more silent and still, where things are rushed more here. I smiled when you mentioned the snow you got on Christmas Eve, as this year is magical to me when I open my windows and see a blanket of white fluff all over the neighborhood. The church bells ringing in Germany sound wonderful. Yes, midnight Mass, we used to go to that when I was younger. Thanks for sharing all the Christmas traditions with us from your native country. Merry Christmas Carola.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
What a wonderful post about your traditions Carola. I bet the bells ringing is an amazing sound. And I know what you mean about the quiet. It always makes me think of late on Christmas Eve myself, when most things are closed and the stars are twinkling and everyone, or almost everyone, has gone to sleep. I wish you a wonderful holiday Carola. Merry Christmas to you. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteGood afternoon and happy holidays. New friends and bloggers will be welcome in 2022, I'm Brazilian from the city of Rio de Janeiro. I would like to invite you to meet my Blogger.
ReplyDeleteA lovely post. Happy Christmas to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely post.
ReplyDeleteMy good wishes to you and your family.
All the best Jan
This was a first-time read of this post for myself, Carola, but so thankful you reposted it as the Christmas Eve celebration sounded lovely. I hope your Christmas here was peaceful and joyful and send you all good wishes for the coming New Year. It has been my pleasure to read your posts this past year. Thank you for visiting and commenting on my posts as well.
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