Christmas in Germany is a special time of the year, and a treat for an American, especially if you have German friends who will invite you into their home for the season. Germany is predominantly Lutheran in the north, and Catholic in the south in the province of Bavaria, but the traditions in both parts of the country are very similar. And, since the Christmas tree is a German invention, a Christmas tree of spruce or fir will be found in every home. In fact, many homes will have more than one Christmas tree, and some have several. The preparations for the Christmas season will begin on December 6th when families will begin making gifts and decorations, and baking special spiced cakes and cookies for the season.

Around this time most towns begin their Kriskringlemart, a time when vendors will line the street corners and merchants will decorate and begin special sales for Christmas. Walking the sidewalk a visitor can buy candies and cakes and steaming hot cups of cocoa or, for the adults, a hot spiced red wine called gluwein (pronounce the w as a v). And as you can see Santa Claus on street corners in America, in Germany you'll see his twin, Kris Kringle. In addition to Kris Kringle, German children leave letters on their windowsills for Christkind, a legendary white robed figure with a gold crown and wings who leaves gifts. According to tradition Christkind is a messenger sent by the Christ Child to the children of Germany.

No German Christmas would be complete without the special food. Germans are well known for gingerbread houses and gingerbread cookies. Bakers have many special pastries for the season, and people even bake their own tree decorations. They make a dough called Christbaumgeback that can be molded into various shapes and baked, and then put on the tree. Germans will also hang up wreaths of holly with four red candles in the center. Children will light a candle every Sunday until Christmas Eve when they light the last one and count the time down to the joyous celebration.

If you have a sweet tooth, remember that Germans take their Christmas candy very seriously. Adults and children alike will receive chocolates on Christmas, of the highest quality and delicious. It is very common for adults to receive special chocolates with brandy in the center, creating a unique and interesting taste.

Germans have celebrated Christmas for many centuries, even before it was called Christmas. The modern celebration of Christmas descends from the Winter Solstice celebration of the Germanic people before they became Christians, and many of the traditions have been altered to fit in today. German and American people share a love of the season so strong that during World War I both sides declared a truce for the holiday and German and American soldiers left the trenches to visit with each other and share a glass of Christmas cheer. In the last 60 years Germany has been home to many thousands of American military personnel who have shared their traditions with their German hosts, and brought back German traditions as well. Since Christmas is a time to celebrate peace on earth, it seems like an appropriate time for nations to share traditions and friendship.