A European Christmas by C. Bailey-Lloyd

With the holidays right around the corner, it's hard not to
reminisce our childhood memories and holidays of yesteryear. In
each culture, there are differing values and traditions which
are celebrated in different ways.

During the 70's, growing up 'German' in Europe was one of the
most fascinating and magical decades. Having strong German
roots, our family participated in many German Christmas
traditions. One of those traditions was Advent. The Advent, or
Christmas calendar, is picture-box calendar decorated with
wintry & Christmas scenes, biblical characters and 'St.
Nicolas.' On the face of the calendar, are 24 small doors, each
containing a small chocolate - one opened each day for the
holiday season. The December 24th door, which is the
'Heiligabend' (Christmas Eve) is usually the largest door on the
calendar and most often contains a chocolate Nativity. As
children, we relished in this fun, and tasty feature of the
holiday season.

But Advent wasn't simply comprised of the Holiday Calendar, we
also partook in the Advent Wreath, or 'Adventskranz' which was
beautifully displayed on tables throughout the house. Wreathes
held 4 candles; the first candle being lit the fourth Sunday
before Christmas, and another one each Sunday thereafter. Around
the evergreen wreath of candles, our family would gather as each
candle was meticulously lit. My mom would recite a simple,
German passage each time she would light a candle:

"Advent, Advent Ein Kerzlein brent. Erst Eins, den Zwei, den
Drei, den Vier - den steht der Christkind vor der tur."

Which translates into, 'Advent, Advent, a candle burns. First
one, then two, then three, then four - then stands the Christ
Child before the door.'

For you see, in Germany, it is the 'Christkind' (Christ Child)
who brings gifts on Christmas Eve.

Another childhood pastime was St. Nikolaustag Nikolaustag (St.
Nicholas Day) was a fun and lighthearted tradition whereby
children everywhere anxiously awaited the arrival of December
6th when the Nikolaus, or Weinachtsmann (Santa Claus) came.
Leading up to Nikolaustag, we children would have to behave very
well, because St. Nikolaus could 'see everything' we did. And
the night before December 6th, we would have to clean our winter
boots meticulously to put outside our doors. Why the heck would
we clean our boots and place them outside our doors? Well, I'll
tell you why - if we were good, and our boots were really clean,
St. Nikolaus would stuff our boots with candies, little toys and
chocolates. If we were bad, we would receive a bundle of
switches or lumps of coal.

Unknown to popular American custom, the 'Weinachtsmann' was
conceived by German-American Illustrator, Thomas Nast, who
created the Christmas image of Santa in America - which,
ultimately set a precedent for the permanent, symbolic
establishment of Santa Claus.

Traditionally, German Christmas is observed through 'Heilige
Drei Konige Tag,' or Three Kings Day (also known as the Magi or
the Wise Men). In some parts of Europe, such as Austria, Germany
and Switzerland, the Letters C + M + B (Caspar, Melchor, and
Balthazar - and, 'Christus mansionem benedicat,' meaning 'Christ
bless this house.') are etched with chalk above doorways and
home entrances on January 6th. Of course, this is the epitome of
the 12 Days of Christmas

Finally, on the 'Cristkind Abend (Christ Child Eve or Christmas
Eve), aside from the Weinachts Baum (Christmas Tree custom
started by Martin Luther), families receive 'Bunte Teller,' or
colored plates filled with oranges, candies, Marzipan (comprised
of almonds and suger), Lebkuchen (gingerbread), Stollen (fruit
bread) and an assortment of chocolates and other goods. Before
any gifts are exchanged, Christmas Carols like Stille Nacht
(Silent Night from Austrian composer Franz Gruber) are sung by
the tree.

To this day, I am still amazed at the profound effects of
Christmas' past have had on me. As a child, the holiday was
mystical and magical, as an adult, its beautiful memories are
forever etched in my heart and soul.

Wishing all a happy, memory-filled, holiday season, I am
sincerely,

C. Bailey-Lloyd aka. LadyCamelot Public Relations' Director
Staff Writer www.holisticjunction.com www.mediapositiveradio.com

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About the author:
C. Bailey-Lloyd aka. LadyCamelot Public Relations' Director
Staff Writer www.holisticjunction.com www.mediapositiveradio.com

Author : C. Bailey-Lloyd/LadyCamelot
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