monthly focus ~ Christmas traditions in Germany

GERMAN CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS THAT DELIGHT

“Living in and loving the culture.”  

Those words mark the lives of missionaries around this globe.  EBM missionaries make it a high priority to acclimate themselves as quickly as possible in the land and with the people.  Missionaries in Germany tell about the wonderful traditions of Christmas that they enjoy and find that they are opportunities for outreach. 

Here are few uniquely European traditions:

Many towns in Germany feature a “Weihnachtsmarkt,” or Christmas market during the holiday season.   A Christmas market is similar to a county fair in the U.S.—only at Christmas time.  It contains booths that sell handicrafts and holiday foods, such as “ Stollen”(fruit cake) and “Glühwein” (a wine, heated up over the fire & served in steaming cups).

The main focus of the Christmas season is Christmas Eve, “Heilige Abend,”.  This is when families gather and exchange gifts.   One of the few times Germans attend church is on Christmas evening, for a late-night service. 

A special tradition in many German homes and churches is the lighting the Advent Wreath.   On the wreath are 4 candles representing “the 4,000 years” humankind had to wait for the Messiah.  Beginning with the 4th Sunday before Christmas, the first candle is lit, followed by the second candle the next Sunday, and so on until all four candles are lit on the Sunday preceding Christmas.

The Christmas tree is a part of most German household, much as it is in the US.  One tradition surrounding the Christmas tree involves Martin Luther.  During one Advent season, he is said to have been walking through a pine forest near his home, contemplating a sermon, all the while, awed by the beauty and wonder of the stars shining through the branches of the evergreens.  The stars reminded him of the stars above Bethlehem.  To try to recapture the brilliance of the moment for his family, he went home and erected a pine tree and wired its branches with candles.

Understanding and appreciating traditions are wonderful ways to learn more about the people to whom  God has called EBM missionaries to minister.  Pray for the Germany team of EBM missionaries as they share the wonderful news of the coming of Jesus as a babe in the manger who is the Lord and Saviour of the world. 

EBM Missionary Team in Germany:  Aaron & Anne Bowes, Duane & Daylin Beach, Steve & Becky Dye, Fritz & Lynette Good,  and Kristie Walker.