German Holiday Traditions

German Holiday Traditions

Shared By German, Spanish, (and previously Latin !) Teacher, Mrs. Nancy Jeffrey

The Advent Wreath, Advent Calendar, and Christmas Tree are all traditions with roots in Germany. Germany is credited with creating gingerbread; it's called Lebkuchen there.

“Silent Night” was written by a church organist in Austria. He wrote it for guitar because the organ bellows had been chewed by mice. The priest of the church had written a poem that became the lyrics.

On Christmas Eve, the Christkind (Christ child) brings the gifts while the family is at church, adults decorate the tree behind closed doors, and in some parts of Germany, bratwurst and potato salad are eaten on the night before Christmas. Goose is a traditional Christmas day dinner.