My Christmas Memories
As a child growing up in Bavaria, near the Alps of Southern Germany, I have some wonderful memories of Christmas.
Preparing for the Christmas Season began in September. My Tante (Aunt) Thea would bake cookies and cakes such as the German fruitcake Stollen. The Springerle cookies would be packed away tightly with slices of oranges and apples until they were soft enough to eat. She also made flavored liquor with fruits such as cherries and pears.
On December 6, we would celebrate Saint Nicholas Day. In Bavarian tradition, Saint Nicholas is dressed as a Bishop in a white gown with gold trim, cap and a staff. He would visit in the evening and talk to the children about being good. To the children that were good, he gave a plate of fruit and nuts; to the bad children he gave a switch.
On December 24, we would celebrate the coming of the Christ Child or Christ Kindel.
When I was very little, I remember Tante Thea would walk with me outside after dark. She told me we were looking for the arrival of the Christ Kindel. It would be very cold with snow everywhere. She would point out someone in the distance carrying a lantern and say, “Look! That must be the Christ Kindel!” In our excitement, we would run around in the snow throwing snowballs.
When my grandmother rang a bell, we would go inside to find the biggest surprise. Suddenly, in the kitchen, was a fully decorated Christmas tree where there was none before we went outside! The tree was all lit with real candles and pretty presents were under the tree.
Some of the gifts I can remember were newly sewn doll clothes, a basket filled with pillows to be a bed for my doll.
We would have our traditional Christmas Eve meal of potato salad and hamburger patties and drink Glühwein or "Glow Wine", a hot-spiced fruit and wine punch.
Gathered around the tree, we would sing Christmas songs such as Silent Night.
STILLE NACHT, HEILIGE NACHT
SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Alles schläft, einsam wacht
Nur das traute, hochheilige Paar,
Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh'!
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh'!
Silent night, Holy night,
All is calm, all is bright,
'Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
On Christmas Day we would visit with all of our friends and family sharing coffee and cakes.
from Judith
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