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December 6th is Nikolaustag, St. Nicholas Day. It is a Christian holiday based on a 16h century tradition. The night of the 5th, children set out their shoes in hopes that the next morning the shoes are filled with candy, toys and gifts by St. Nikolaus if they have been good children. If they have not been good, the shoes are filled with twigs. <ref>http://www.californiamall.com/holidaytraditions/traditions-germany.htm</ref>

December 6th is Nikolaustag, St. Nicholas Day. It is a Christian holiday based on a 16h century tradition. The night of the 5th, children set out their shoes in hopes that the next morning the shoes are filled with candy, toys and gifts by St. Nikolaus if they have been good children. If they have not been good, the shoes are filled with twigs. <ref>http://www.californiamall.com/holidaytraditions/traditions-germany.htm</ref>

Heilgabend (Christmas Eve) is the main Christmas celebration rather than Christmas Day. On the evening of the 24th the Christmas  tree, called the Tellenbaum, is set up. The children of the household are not allowed to see the tree until it is fully decorated and trimmed. They are brought into a separate room while the parent decorates the tree. It is a wonderful surprise when the bell is rung for the kids to enter the room and see the tree, decked out with real candles or lights, little treats and candies, trinkets and other fun things. Also in the evening Christian families go to church for a special mass. Then they eat a giant feast, which may consist of foods such as suckling pig, "reisbrei" (a sweet cinnamon), white sausage, macaroni salad, and many regional dishes.<ref>http://www.californiamall.com/holidaytraditions/traditions-germany.htm</ref>

Heilgabend (Christmas Eve) is the main Christmas celebration rather than Christmas Day. On the evening of the 24th the Christmas  tree, called the Tellenbaum, is set up. The children of the household are not allowed to see the tree until it is fully decorated and trimmed. They are brought into a separate room while the parent decorates the tree. It is a wonderful surprise when the bell is rung for the kids to enter the room and see the tree, decked out with real candles or lights, little treats and candies, trinkets and other fun things. Also in the evening Christian families go to church for a special mass. Then they eat a giant feast, which may consist of foods such as suckling pig, "reisbrei" (a sweet cinnamon), white sausage, macaroni salad, and many regional dishes.<ref>http://www.californiamall.com/holidaytraditions/traditions-germany.htm</ref> Also popular in Germany are Nativity scenes.

And now we are brought to Christmas Day, Weihnachten, itself. This day is spent with close family (other relatives usually come over on the Second Day of Christmas). On Christmas Eve children have written letters to either the Christkindl (Christ Child, a Protestant figure), a girl with wings, a crown and a white robe; or Weihnachtsmann, [[Santa Claus]]. Then on the morning of Christmas children can unwrap the presents that have been left under the tree by one of these figures. Some families hire college students or ask a relative to dress up as Christkindl or Santa. The kids then sing a song or read a poem for their guest. After the presents are unwrapped the family eats a traditional German dinner, which might include fish like carp or salmon, sausages and potato salad, goose or duck with potato dumplings and gravy.

And now we are brought to Christmas Day, Weihnachten, itself. This day is spent with close family (other relatives usually come over on the Second Day of Christmas). On Christmas Eve children have written letters to either the Christkindl (Christ Child, a Protestant figure), a girl with wings, a crown and a white robe; or Weihnachtsmann, [[Santa Claus]]. Then on the morning of Christmas children can unwrap the presents that have been left under the tree by one of these figures. Some families hire college students or ask a relative to dress up as Christkindl or Santa. The kids then sing a song or read a poem for their guest. After the presents are unwrapped the family eats a traditional German dinner, which might include fish like carp or salmon, sausages and potato salad, goose or duck with potato dumplings and gravy.

The Christmas tree is an important holiday tradition in countries all over the world, and is a tradition that originated in Germany. The fir tree has a long association with Christianity that began in Germany almost 1,000 years ago when St Boniface, who converted the German people to Christianity, was said to have come across a group of pagans worshiping an oak tree. In anger, St Boniface is said to have cut down the oak tree and to his amazement a young fir tree sprung up from the roots of the oak tree. St Boniface took this as a sign of the Christian faith. But it was not until the 16th century that fir trees were brought indoors at Christmas time.

The Christmas tree is an important holiday tradition in countries all over the world, and is a tradition that originated in Germany. The fir tree has a long association with Christianity that began in Germany almost 1,000 years ago when St Boniface, who converted the German people to Christianity, was said to have come across a group of [[pagans]] worshiping an oak tree. In anger, St Boniface is said to have cut down the oak tree and to his amazement a young fir tree sprung up from the roots of the oak tree. St Boniface took this as a sign of the Christian faith. But it was not until the 16th century that fir trees were brought indoors at Christmas time.

The Hessian soldiers brought the Christmas tree tradition to America during the [[Revolutionary War]].

The Hessian soldiers brought the Christmas tree tradition to America during the [[Revolutionary War]].

The Christmas carol "O, Christmas Tree" is also of German origin. The best known version of "O, Tellenbaum" was written in 1824 by a composer named Ernst Anschutz. The melody is an old folk tune.

The Christmas carol "O, Christmas Tree" is also of German origin. The best known version of "O, Tellenbaum" was written in 1824 by a composer named Ernst Anschutz. The melody is an old folk tune.

==References==

==References==

[[Category:Christmas]]

[[Category:Christmas]]

[[Category:Germany]]

[[Category:Germany]]