The Christkind, a fairy-like being dressed in gold and white robes with a crown upon her golden locks, is the namesake of the Christkindlmarket. Christkind folklore dates back to the 1500s and stems from traditional customs: parades during the holiday season were guided by one “grand” angel, the Christkind.
In Germany, people use an Adventskranz, or advent wreath, with four candles on it to celebrate the four advents or the four Sundays before Christmas. On each of the four Sundays preceding Christmas Eve, a candle is lit. After lightning the first candle, the Christmas season officially begins.
Traditionally, Santa Claus, or Weihnachtsmann in German, does not drop down chimneys and deliver gifts the eve of Dec. 25 in Germany. Instead, the Christkind or Christkindl, an angel-like creature with blond hair and wings, brings gifts to families on the eve of Christmas.
The Christkind is a sprite-like child, usually depicted with blond hair and angelic wings. Martin Luther intended it to be a reference to the incarnation of Jesus as an infant (see Christ Child).
This German Christmas custom is one of the most popular traditions. The angels are usually placed on the Christmas tree, or on sideboards. In some families, angels are passed down through the generations and include special meanings, such as hope, joy and prosperity.
Many people attend church services or simply take the day off to prepare for the winter sales. Day After Christmas: December 26th or der zweite Weihnachtstag is also known as the second day of Christmas, a German legal holiday, and is a quiet day to recover.
It was most likely the medieval German tradition of Christmas plays, with an Angel of the Annunciation as the main character, which gave the Christmas Angel its earthly appearance. As angels of all sorts began to be depicted as female and not only male, the Christkind also took on a feminine appearance.
The Nuremberg Christkind, with her white and golden dress, long blond curls and golden crown, has been the symbol of the Christmas Market for many decades. In fact, the event – the “Christkindlesmarkt” – is named for her.
It comes from the German word Christkindl, meaning Christ child, because German children believe that the baby Jesus brings presents during the Christmas season.
Although it is the Christian festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas is also celebrated by Germans who do not profess any faith – by 78% in all. Celebrating Christmas is an important family tradition for most people. Roughly one in four Germans go to church at Christmas.
The traditional Christmas meal features duck, goose, rabbit or a roast. This main dish is accompanied by German delicacies such as apple and sausage stuffing, red cabbage and potato dumplings. Dessert typically includes Christmas Stollen, considered one of the best Christmas pastries in the world!
While snowfall in Germany varies by region and year, it's possible to experience a white Christmas, especially in regions with higher altitudes like the Alps and the Central Uplands.
Krampus, in central European popular legend, a half-goat, half-demon monster that punishes misbehaving children at Christmastime. He is the devilish companion of St. Nicholas. Krampus is believed to have originated in Germany, and his name derives from the German word Krampen, which means “claw.”
The tradition of giving gifts to children on Christmas became a boon to the Markets. Martin Luther suggested that children receive presents from “The Christ Child”, Christkindl. German Christmas Markets are called Christkindlmarkt.
Where do children leave their letters for Christkind in Germany?
The largest Christmas post office in Germany is located in the little town of Himmelpfort, in the eastern state of Brandenburg, which received 300,000 letters last year.
The modern figure of Santa is based on folklore traditions surrounding Saint Nicholas, the English figure of Father Christmas, and the Dutch figure of Sinterklaas.
However, this changed in Late Medieval Germany, where “our” Christmas was invented. Until then, guilds, villages and noble manors constituted the primary arenas for the “good life”. During the 15th-century, focus was increasingly turned towards the burgher's household and his family.
The legend of the Krampus dates back centuries, originating as a German Christmas tradition during the 12th century. Beginning in early December, the children of Germany would begin to hear whispers of a dark haired creature bearing horns and fangs, carrying a bundle of birch sticks used to swat naughty children.
Treat guests to a traditional German Christmas dinner with classic dishes like roasted goose legs, braised red cabbage. and dumplings, and don't forget the mulled wine and platter of gorgeous, festive cookies.
At first the tree was decorated only with apples, nuts and sweets; wax candles were added later. Many German families still decorate their tree in the "altdeutsche Tradition," or the old German way, with real candles and wood and straw ornaments.
