German Christmas Traditions
It's christmas !!! (frohe Weihnachten)
Christmas in Germany (why is it important)
A big part of christmas celebrations in Germany is Advent. Several types of Advent calendars are used in German homes. The traditional one is made of card who are used in many other countries, there are ones made out of wreath of Fir tree branches with 24 decorated boxes (each boxes has a little present). There is another type called Advent Kranz and is a ring of fir branches that has four candles on it. This is like the Advent candles that are sometimes used in Churches. One candles is lit at the beginning at each week of Advent.
Decorations (christmas trees, hymn)
Christmas Trees are very important in Germany. They were first used in Germany during the Middles Ages. If they are young children in the house, the trees are usually secretly decorated by the mother of the family. The christmas tree is traditionally bring into the house on Christmas Eve, and during the evening the family would read the Bible and sing songs such as O Tannenbaum, Ihr Kinderlein Kommet and Stille Nacht (Silent Night).
FOOD
Carp or Goose are often served for the main christmas meal.
Stollen is a popular fruited yeast bread that is eaten at Christmas.