Easter Eggs Traditions from Germany It is really impossible to imagine Easter without such an attribute as colored eggs. This is a very old tradition dating back to the 16th century to exchange colored eggs as Easter presents. Later, it became a custom for young people who were in love with each other, to give the decorated eggs to their … [Read more...]

Easter Feast - Frohe Ostern! Easter (besides Christmas) is the most important holiday in Germany. On this day all Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ from the grave. This is the greatest and most joyful event of the year for the believers, when the tragedy of Jesus' crucifixion on Good Friday was healed by the message of the angel at … [Read more...]

In some parts of Germany, mainly the south east of the country, children write to the Christkind/Christkindl asking for presents. The letters to the Christkind are decorated with sugar glued to the envelope to make them sparkly and attractive to look at. Children leave the letters on the windowsill at the beginning of or during Advent. "Das … [Read more...]

There is nothing so awe-inspiring in the pre-Christmas time as visiting Christkindlmarkt, the German Christmas market. Every town has its own little "Christkindlmarkt", which is a market-fest, where people gather to enjoy the Christmas time. These Christmas markets offer baked goods, sweets and toys and feature local and regional specialties. … [Read more...]

In Germany the time from December 1st to December 24th is called "Adventszeit", which means the time before Christmas Eve. Parents give their children Advent calendars that count down the days. Every day in December they can open one of the doors and receive either a small chocolate in the shape of a star, a tree, or a little toy. These calendars … [Read more...]

The first appearance of a Christmas tree - Tannenbaum - was recorded in 1605 in Strasburg, and the record said that "...people set up Christmas trees in their rooms...". Another record of that time coming from Ammerschweier, said that "... no burgher shall have for Christmas more than one bush of more than eight shoes' length...". The decorations … [Read more...]

Christmas is coming, bright and sparkling, and we put together several articles that make up a collection of festive stories. In this article we will get acquainted with German Christmas traditions and customs, history of Christmas tree, traditional German Christmas markets, Advent - Christmas calendar that originated from Germany, and Christ Child … [Read more...]

The Greek word "Epiphanias" means "uprise, appearance", i.e. appearance of the Lord which was celebrated in the early Christian centuries on January 6. In the 4th century this holiday was shifted to December 25, and January 6 obtained the name of The Three Kings (the "Wise Men," the Magi), or simply Twelfth Day. According to an old legend based on … [Read more...]

The Day of St. Thomas, celebrated on December 21, is also the day of the winter solstice, the year's longest night and shortest day. St. Thomas is commemorated on this day because he was the last one of the apostles to become convinced of Jesus' resurrection -- he was the one who for the longest time remained in the "night of unbelief and doubt." … [Read more...]