Christmas

The period before Christmas is special, too. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and is known as Advent. The word Advent comes from the Latin words “Adventus Domini,” meaning “the coming of the Lord.” In earlier centuries, Advent lasted 40 days and was observed as a time of fasting. People ate simply and, for example, gave up meat. Dancing and lavish celebrations were also not allowed.

At some point, the start of Advent was set as the fourth Sunday before Christmas. Advent calendars became fashionable, as did decorated Advent wreaths. The four candles are lit one after another: “First one, then two, then three, then four, then the Christ Child is at the door.”

In the past, children received gifts not at Christmas but on the feast day of Saint Nicholas, a bishop. He is said to have lived long ago in the town of Myra. Today, the place is called Demre and is in Turkey. Nicholas is said to have died there on December 6, 345—almost 1,700 years ago. December 6 is therefore observed as his feast day. Many legends tell of Bishop Nicholas. These are pious stories, and not everything in them should be taken literally. They say that Nicholas did many good things, especially for children. That is why it became customary to give children gifts on December 6. Today, children sometimes put out shoes or boots to be filled by Saint Nicholas. In some kindergartens, schools and families, Bishop Nicholas makes a “personal” visit. He is accompanied by Knecht Ruprecht or the Krampus, who carries the sack of gifts and sometimes threatens children with a switch.

Many people emigrated from Europe to North America, especially during the 19th century. Emigrants from the Netherlands brought their traditions of Sinterklaas with them. In the United States and Canada, the Dutch Sinterklaas became Santa Claus. Santa Claus wears a red-and-white suit, a beard and a fur hat. Children in North America believe that Santa Claus lives at the North Pole. Thousands of elves are said to work for him there. It is also said that Santa Claus visits all the children in his sleigh on the night of December 24. The sleigh is supposedly pulled by reindeer, including the famous Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The sleigh and reindeer are said to fly through the air and land on rooftops. On Christmas Eve, children in North America hang stockings by the fireplace. Santa Claus then climbs down the chimney during the night and fills the stockings with toys and candy. Does he really do that? And how does he manage to visit all the children in just one night?

Many children in Germany, Austria and Switzerland receive presents not only on St Nicholas’ Day, but also at Christmas. Some believe that the Christ Child comes to visit them. It is said to float down like an angel in a white robe, and it is never seen.

In some cities, the Christkind is celebrated with a Christkindlesmarkt or Christkindlmarkt, such as the one held every year in Nuremberg. These markets developed into the Christmas markets held in many towns. There you can find mulled wine, almonds and bratwurst. These are naturally of particular interest to adults, who sometimes get quite merry. Above all, however, you can buy all kinds of things everywhere in the weeks before Christmas. The shops are beautifully decorated, and many houses and streets are adorned for Christmas. In some regions, children are told that their presents are brought not by the Christkind, but by Father Christmas. There must be lots of Father Christmases, as in the days before Christmas they are out in large numbers in department stores and at Christmas markets.

Christmas is celebrated in many countries. In Russia, however, children have to wait until New Year’s Eve for their presents. Only then does Father Frost visit them, accompanied by his granddaughter, Snegurochka. Her name means “Snow Maiden.” Children in Denmark call Santa Claus Julemand. They are sure he lives in the eternal ice of Greenland. In Finland, Santa Claus is called Joulupukki. People say he lives in the village of Korvatunturi in Lapland. There he lives with his wife and many elves somewhere in the snowy forests. The elves work for him, busily making the presents the children wish for. Oh, oh! In France, Santa Claus is called Père Noël. Just like Santa Claus, he also comes down the chimney to visit the children. In England, Father Christmas brings the presents. In some parts of Italy, the Christ Child delivers them on Christmas Eve. In other areas, however, children don’t receive their presents until January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany. That’s when Befana, an old witch, comes to visit. People say she rides from house to house on a broomstick, searching for the Baby Jesus. Many customs and traditions have developed around Christmas. Often, they have little to do with the child who was born more than 2,000 years ago. Back then, angels are said to have appeared and proclaimed peace on Earth. Peace is certainly more important than all the presents in the world. Peace begins when we respect one another and are willing to settle disagreements peacefully.