Traditions

The nice thing about being married to someone from a different culture is that you not only get to celebrate your Christmas tradition but theirs. On the night of December 6th the boys put out their shoes for St. Nicholaus, and then when they wake up, sure enough, he has filled them with treats. We also celebrate Advent which is the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. We begin Advent by lighting another candle in our Christmas wreath and singing the German song that goes along with it that says Advent Advent ein licht brent jetz. First eins dann zwei dann drei dann vier dann steht das Christkind vor der tuer. Translation is Advent Advent a light burns now. First 1, then 2, then 3, then 4 then the Christchild stands at the door. Then we follow it by listening to Christmas music, eating cookies or cakes, reading stories, watching movies and sometimes we do a craft. We do these activities throughout the week too, but Advent is even more special because we spend our whole afternoon focusing on our preparation for Christmas to come.