German vocabulary and phrases associated with the Christmas season.
Jetzt kommt die staade zeit, die i a so mog” (Now comes the quiet time I love so well) is the beginning of an ode by the German poet Helmut Zöpfl. It refers to the four weeks leading up to Christmas, known as Advent. On the four Sundays during this period, the Adventssonntage, Germans put up the Adventskranz, a pine-bough wreath with seasonal decorations and four candles, which are lit successively. Advent is supposed to be a time for introspection and preparation for the high holy days. Nowadays, the first Lebkuchen (gingerbread) appear in the shops by mid-September. Once Oktoberfest is over, you can buy the first chocolate Santas. Somewhere in November the Christmas decorations go up in the shopping precincts and the Muzac turns into carolling. On the first weekend of Advent, the Weihnachtsmarkt or Christkindlmarkt opens, and in Munich it becomes well nigh impossible to cross Marienplatz or other affected spaces without much jostling. So much for quiet introspection! As in much of the rest of the world, the children ask each day, “Mama, ist nicht bald Weihnachten?” (Mama, is it Christmas yet?). They count down the days on their Adventskalender, a calendar which features a little door to open every day from 1st to 24th of December. Originally there was just a picture behind each door, usually of Christmas pleasures to come. Nowadays, it’s usually a piece of chocolate “um die Wartezeit zu versüßen” (to sweeten the waiting time). Another way of getting into die Weihnachtsstimmung (Christmas spirit) is by baking batches of special Christmas cookies (Weihnachtsplätzchen), or as Bavarians say: Plätzl backen. The whole family can help, and children just love messing around with dough and icing. Traditionally, the cookies are then hidden, to ensure they last until Christmas Eve. In Germany, Heiligabend (Christmas Eve) is the day of celebration. The family gathers for supper, and awaits the Bescherung, the long-awaited distribution of the presents. Each family has its own ritual: The tinkling of a little bell, announcing the coming of the Christkind, a loud hoopla said to come from the Weihnachtsmann. The candles on the Weihnachtsbaum (Christmas tree) are lit, and the tree glitters with gold, silver, and glass ornaments. Many families put up a Krippe (crèche). The word really means the manger with the baby Jesus, but,of course it includes Mary and Joseph, ox and donkey, shepherds, sheep and angels as well. Christmas is also called “das Fest der Liebe” (the celebration of love), and on the 24th and 25th relatives are visited, and sumptous, rich meals are served. A traditional dish is roast goose. Oddly enough, to fleece someone is known as “ausnehmen wie eine Weihnachtsgans” (to pluck like a Christmas goose). Odder still, “eine schöne Bescherung” does not mean a particularly lovely way of giving gifts, but sarcastically stands for a fine mess. You won’t find eggnog at a German Christmas, but if it’s really cold outside Glühwein (hot, spiced wine) goes very well with Christmas cookies. There is no tradition of carolling in Germany, but on January 6, Epiphany (Dreikönigstag), the Sternsinger, children dressed as the three Magi, or Holy Kings, will walk from house to house, singing hymns and collecting money for charity. They leave a chalk mark on each door, with the year and the letters C-B-M. They stand for Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar, the names of the three kings. But they also stand for the Latin “Christus mansionem benedicat” (may Christ bless this house). But by the time the Sternsinger are doing their rounds, the holiday season is over. All that is left is anticipation of the next. Oh well, Fasching is just around the corner, then Easter, then… <<<