COUNTRY CHRISTMAS GET INTO THE SPIRIT Get in the Christmas Spirit at the Christkindl Market presented by Symphony in the Barn and the Friends of Glencolton Farm and Saugeen Academy. The had
market to be
returns cancelled
after it in 2020.
The first recorded Christkindlesmarkt was in 1298 where vendors sold food during the Advent season. By 1384 villages all over Germany were celebrating Advent in markets selling local foods and crafts. The Christkindlesmarkt was a festive meeting place for people to gather and purchase handcrafts such as nutcrackers, ornaments and cakes. These changes created some regional differences in the celebration of Christmas within German-speaking countries, which is why many traditions today vary and sometimes overlap. These regional differences are also the reason that many traditional Christmas markets in Germany or Austria are called Weihnachtsmarkt, Christkindlesmarkt. Or Christkindlmarkt. In the end, however, each regional version is simply a Christmas Market. Martin Luther played a major role in our current Christmas customs. He encouraged gift-giving traditions to be held on Christmas Day, which became a boon to all the markets, and suggested that children receive the gifts from “The Christ Child”, the Christkindl. Hence, the name Christkindlmarkt. St. Nicholas came on December 6th to fill children’s shoes with oranges, nuts and cookies while the Christ Child delivered presents on Christmas Day. Glencolton Farms, home of Symphony in the Barn with a long tradition of connecting Culture with Agri-Culture is opening its gates again for this year’s magic of the Christkindl Market. In today’s world of on-line shopping, virtual concerts, and Netflix-entertainment, the social life of community is suffering and the longing for human contact becomes a real necessity for many. Coming together without being confronted with today’s commercialisation of Christmas, without the pressure to rush and buy and eat 16
has been a truly new experience for all those who come to the Christkindlmarket. The sense of beauty, the smell of European food, the chestnuts roasting on open fires, eggnog, mulled wine, warm pretzels and music wherever you go. The setting of the farm with all its animals and the little outdoor huts with vendors and Christmas lights everywhere create an unforgettable experience for the whole family. People from far and wide meet in cozy corners and glowing faces reflect happiness amongst the young and old. Why in the country and not in the town??? Too many distractions cannot create the intimacy needed to enjoy this rare event. When you walk along the candle lit path slowly approaching the market place, it will fill
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