| Christmas is celebrated
on Christmas Eve, by tradition in the circle
of the family. It is a feast of contemplation and joy, on which also the
presents are exchanged. The churches offer festive divine services with
Native plays as well as free concerts with Christmas music and songs, as
to be seen at the picture above and it is difficult, to get a seat. In
the afternoon then the little children are impatiently looking forward
to the great moment, when father Christmas (Santa Claus) knocks at the
door with a big sack on his back (mainly in Protestant areas). He'll put
it down and question the little ones, if they were well behaved over the
year and expect them, to recite a poem or to sing a song, before handing
them over their gifts. It is such a pleasure, to watch, as they answer
his questions and fulfil his wishes full of awe. In other areas the children
will find their presents under the Christmas tree. The Christmas tree is
by tradition a natural spruce or fire. For this reason it is decorated
only shortly before.
Christmas Eve is followed by two holidays, which are
used for visits with other family members and friends and usually are crowned
by festive dinners with roast goose, turkey or venison. |
