Christmas Eve in Germany

According to the English calendar 24th December, the day before the Christmas Day is celebrated as the Christmas Eve in almost all the countries in the world, including Germany. It is is indeed an important day in the Christian tradition and it signals the arrivals of year-end festivities. In Germany, too, this day of the year is celebrated in traditional as well as modern ways. Celebrations in Germany comprise of prayers & church services, sumptuous meals, shopping, tours to

various places and many more exciting things.

 

German Christmas Eve

 

In Germany, this day is known as Heiliger Abend. The preparation for this day begins 4 Sundays before the Christmas Day. It is a common practice by the families in Germany to prepare a wreath consisting of 4 candles. These four candles are lit on four Sundays prior to this day. Well before the Eve, many Christmas markets are held. Many town centers sell special items for decorations and dazzling lights. Prior to this eventful day , children are distributed Advent calendars. The Advent calendar includes 24 thick papers, each of which displays a seasonal scene. Each day, starting from 1st December, children opens one picture. However, in the modern version of Advent calendar, children discover one toy or candy each day from 1st December to Christmas Eve.

Christmas Eve Activities

 

In Germany, this is celebrated in a big way.It signals the beginning of the Christmas season and it is the last day of Advent. The occasion brings joy and merriment to all. People prefer to spend the occasion with families and close friends. In the evening, homes in Germany are decorated with beautiful lights. People attend church services, offer prayers, eat traditional dishes and open

gifts. In many families in Germany, traditional dishes are prepared for the whole family on this occasion. After opening of the presents in the evening, those gifts are placed under Christmas tree. In the traditional Catholic families, it is told to the children that those gifts are given by Christ Child. However, in the traditional Protestant families, the children are made to believe that those gifts are presented by Father Christ or Santa Claus. Traditional meals are prepared in many German families which include carp, boiled potatoes, potato salad, lemon slices and cucumber salad.

Traditional Christmas Eve Dinner in Germany

 

One important tradition of Christmas Eve in Germany is preparation of delicious dinner. Traditional dinner in Germany includes the following menus.

The Carp

Carp is a kind of fish. Since the Middle Ages, the Christmas Eve in Germany has been observed as a day of culmination of fasting. The idea of carp has its origin in the Middle Ages. Since then, carp has figured in the dinner in Germany.

The Goose

The custom of serving goose in the Christmas Eve dinner was taken from the Britishers. Goose was served to Queen Elizabeth in 1588 on this day. She enjoyed it very much. Since then it has become a custom to serve goose in the dinner. Subsequently, this custom was imported to Germany.

Potato Salad

Apart from carp and goose, another thing that must figure in the Christmas Eve dishes in Germany is potato salad. The origin of this practice could not be traced. However, it is very easy to prepare potato salad.