Christmas tradition in Germany______Duration 3’21’’

author: Birgitt Roßhirt camera: archive cut: Ursula Engel producer: Bayerischer Rundfunk

Music: “Stille Nacht” – Hans Haider “Vom Himmel hoch” – Hans Haider “Oh Tannenbaum” – Harfenweihnacht – Hubert Pfluger “Kommet Ihr Hirten” – Windsbacher Knabenchor

Text:

Normally there is not so much singing. However, when time comes, the four weeks to Eve, people get themselves in the right mood for the most important feast of the year by singing carols: Christmas time from 24th to 26th December. The moments of silent reflection, taking stock and anticipation are short. For Advent is also the most exhausting time of the year. All kinds of things have to be done, Christmas biscuits baking for example, little work of arts made of sweet dough. This is more work. Just like the garland of evergreens with the four candles to increase the anticipation of Christmas. Every Sunday in Advent one more candle is lit and on the fourth Advent Sunday, all four candles are burning - and is near. The bright lights everywhere show the anticipation of the Nativity of Christ. To make things easier many Germans go without real candles and instead use electric lights. Those who like traditions put up a crib that depicts the . The necessary can only be bought in a specialist shop in the Bavarian town of Rothenburg upon Tauber during the whole year – a real tourist attraction. Otherwise you can buy the appropriate decoration in shops and at Christmas fairs during the pre-Christmas period. The best-known Christmas fair is the „ Christkindlesmarkt” which the Nuremberg opens at the beginning of December. Each year the market’s romantic atmosphere attracts millions of visitors from all over the word. A real Nuremberg classic is the „Bratwurstsemmel“ – a pork sausage in a roll - and , called “Glühwein” – which is hot red wine with spices. Just a relaxed evening. During the day the town-centre is crammed with people who are busy buying presents. Each year the Germans spend 10 billion euros on Christmas presents – the presents are exchanged on 24th December, Christmas Eve. Children are told that the presents are delivered by the Christkind. Therefore, they write a letter to the Christkind saying what they would like to have. A place called “Himmelstadt” (City of Heaven) receives piles of children’s letters, because the children believe that the Christkind lives in a place connected with heaven. The presents are put under the and therefore a spruce or fir has to be bought shortly before Christmas. The tree then is decorated with glass balls, stars made of straw or small figures. The tree stands for joy and was traditionally decorated with Christian symbols. Christmas Eve and the two bank holidays following it are spent with the family - and a little bit with God. Many people, who normally do not go to Church, attend Christmas Mass on Christmas Eve. th , in most cases, takes place on Christmas day, the 25P P December. A typical meal is . Trimmings vary from region to region. Christmas is very private family celebration which is celebrated peacefully. After Christmas, however, most Germans complain loudly because they have put on weight over Christmas.