Christmas in Germany

1. Christmas in Christmas in
GermanyGermany
Froeliche WeihnachtenFroeliche Weihnachten

2. Map of GermanyMap of Germany

3. Christmas in GermanyChristmas in Germany
Germany is a country in northern Germany is a country in northern
Europe. The people there are called Europe. The people there are called
Germans and they speak the Germans and they speak the
German Language. In German, German Language. In German,
Merry Christmas is said “Frohliche Merry Christmas is said “Frohliche
Weihnachten” Weihnachten”
The German people celebrate The German people celebrate
Christmas on December 25Christmas on December 25
thth
. .
Their Christmas season ends on Their Christmas season ends on
January 6January 6
thth
. January 6. January 6
thth
is known as is known as
the Epiphany or Three Kings Day.the Epiphany or Three Kings Day.
Christmas time in Germany is very cold. Christmas time in Germany is very cold.
Snow covers the ground and much Snow covers the ground and much
of the country is near freezing.of the country is near freezing.

4. Christmas TreesChristmas Trees
The very first Christmas trees were The very first Christmas trees were
decorated in Germany. The decorated in Germany. The
Germans think of the Christmas tree Germans think of the Christmas tree
as their symbol of Christmas.as their symbol of Christmas.
Legend says that the German people Legend says that the German people
believed that evergreens and light believed that evergreens and light
kept away bad spirits. So every kept away bad spirits. So every
year for the 12 days of Christmas, year for the 12 days of Christmas,
the German people put candles on the German people put candles on
an evergreen tree to keep away an evergreen tree to keep away
harm.harm.
Another legend says that a German Another legend says that a German
preacher named Martin Luther was preacher named Martin Luther was
walking in the forest one night and walking in the forest one night and
thought that the stars shining on the thought that the stars shining on the
trees were beautiful. So he cut trees were beautiful. So he cut
down the tree and covered it in down the tree and covered it in
candles to show the beauty of the candles to show the beauty of the
stars on the trees.stars on the trees.

5. Legend of the PickleLegend of the Pickle
Pickle ornaments were Pickle ornaments were
considered a special considered a special
decoration by many families decoration by many families
in Germany where the tree in Germany where the tree
was decorated on Christmas was decorated on Christmas
Eve by the parents. It was Eve by the parents. It was
always the last ornament to always the last ornament to
be hung on the Christmas be hung on the Christmas
tree, with the parents hiding it tree, with the parents hiding it
among the green branches. among the green branches.
When the children were When the children were
allowed to see the tree they allowed to see the tree they
would search excitedly for the would search excitedly for the
pickle ornament. The pickle ornament. The
children knew that whoever children knew that whoever
found the pickle ornament found the pickle ornament
first would receive an extra first would receive an extra
gift left by St. Nicholas.gift left by St. Nicholas.

6. DecorationsDecorations

7. Christmas MarketsChristmas Markets
Many Germans celebrate Many Germans celebrate
the Christmas season at the Christmas season at
the Christmas markets. the Christmas markets.
People can shop for toys, People can shop for toys,
food, and decorations. food, and decorations.
While shopping, While shopping,
Germans can enjoy Germans can enjoy
listening to Christmas listening to Christmas
music and watching music and watching
plays and puppet shows.plays and puppet shows.

8. Christmas MarketsChristmas Markets

9. St. St.
NicholasNicholas
The people of Germany The people of Germany
celebrate St. Nicholas Day on celebrate St. Nicholas Day on
December 6December 6
thth
. .
St. Nicholas wears a long robe St. Nicholas wears a long robe
and a pointed hat. He carries and a pointed hat. He carries
a cane and has a long white a cane and has a long white
beard. He is known to be the beard. He is known to be the
Saint of Children. Saint of Children.
On December 5On December 5
thth
, German , German
children leave their shoes out children leave their shoes out
for St. Nicholas. When they for St. Nicholas. When they
awake on December 6awake on December 6
thth
, their , their
shoes are filled with toys and shoes are filled with toys and
treats.treats.

10. Holiday FoodsHoliday Foods
Roast Goose or PorkRoast Goose or Pork
Turkey or duckTurkey or duck
CarpCarp
Gingerbread – To eat Gingerbread – To eat
and hang on the tree.and hang on the tree.
Marzipan – Candy Marzipan – Candy
made from roasted made from roasted
almonds and sugar.almonds and sugar.

11. O Christmas TreeO Christmas Tree
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How lovely are thy branches.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How lovely are thy branches;
Not only green when summer’s here,
But it the coldest time of year.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How lovely are thy branches!

12. Silent NightSilent Night
Silent Night. Silent Night.
Holy Night.Holy Night.
All is calm.All is calm.
All is bright.All is bright.
Round yon virgin.Round yon virgin.
Mother and child.Mother and child.
Holy infant, so tender and Holy infant, so tender and
mild.mild.
Sleep in heavenly peace.Sleep in heavenly peace.
Sleep in heavenly peace.Sleep in heavenly peace.