1. Christmas in Germany! Let’s find out how much we need to pay for our tickets, and write our checks! We’re headed to Berlin, Germany!

2. Christmas in Germany! Frohliche Weihnachten! That is how the Germans say, “Merry Christmas!”

3. Christmas in Germany! While outside on Christmas Eve, he became so moved by the beauty of the tall trees against the starry sky, that he cut one down and brought it home to his family. The Christmas tree as we know it today probably began as a German custom in the sixteenth century. According to legend, Martin Luther, a leader of Protestant church reform, was the first to bring an evergreen tree indoors.

4. Christmas in Germany! Martin Luther placed lighted candles on the boughs to symbolize the stars sparkling over Bethlehem.

5. Christmas in Germany! “O Tannenbaum” is a popular German Christmas carol based on the tree custom. Originally the trees were small enough to set on a table. They were decorated with red apples, cookies, candies, and candles. Since lit candles can be hazardous, families would light them only on Christmas Eve.

6. Christmas in Germany! The popularity of the Christmas tree spread to royalty in France and England. Today, Christmas trees are one of the most popular Christmas customs and symbols, though electric lights have replaced the candles. Christmas trees can be found everywhere.

7. Christmas in Germany! Different names and gift bearers bring gifts in different parts of Germany. In northern Germany, it is Pelze Nicol (fur-clad Nicholas) or Buller Clos (Nicholas with bells). Each is a helper or servant to Kirst Kindl or Christkindl, the Christ Child. The gifts are brought by a young child dressed in white wearing a golden crown decorated with lighted candles. He holds a little fir tree.

8. Christmas in Germany! Different names and gift bearers bring gifts in different parts of Germany. In other parts of Germany, the gift bearer is called Kriss Kringle or Weihnachtsmann (Christmas Man), and he may arrive by mule or white horse. He peeks in the window to check on the children as they sleep. Before going to bed they set out plates of cookies and nuts for him.

9. Christmas in Germany! They may also leave straw, hay or carrots for the animal. If they have been good, they will find small gifts in their shoes or among the tree branches when they awaken.

10. Christmas in Germany! If they have been naughty, a mean fellow called Hans Trapp will pay them a visit. He travels as a “servant” to Kriss Kringle, but he delivers only tree switches meant for spankings!

11. Christmas in Germany! Germany is famous for a huge toy fair held in Nuremberg early each December. It is called Christkindlesmarkt. Shoppers find toys and gifts of every kind as well as glass ornaments, marzipan candies, and gingerbread figures. This is a festive place with music everywhere.

12. Christmas in Germany! Germany is also famous for their beautiful gingerbread houses and cookies.

13. Christmas in Germany! In the four weeks before Christmas, families use an Advent wreath and light one candle each Sunday, including a fifth on Christmas Day.

14. Christmas in Germany! Christmas Holiday Days in Germany December 24 – Christmas Eve December 25 – Christmas December 26 – 2 nd Christmas December 31 – New Year’s Eve January 1 – New Year’s Day January 6 - Epiphany

15. Christmas in Germany! Watch to see how a family in Germany celebrates the holidays. Christmas in Germany

16. Christmas in Germany! Let’s write about everything we learned and enjoy our gingerbread cookies from Germany! We will be making paper gingerbread houses to remember Germany.