Why Do Germany Celebrate Christmas On The 24th
Christmas day is observed around the world and christmas eve is widely observed as a full or partial holiday in anticipation of christmas day together both days are considered one of the most culturally significant celebrations in christendom and western society.
Why do germany celebrate christmas on the 24th. A big part of the christmas celebrations in germany is advent. Christmas eve heiliger abend also heiligabend. In many latin american countries the christmas season begins with the celebration of the virgen de guadalupe a nine day novena that starts on december 3rd and culminates in the virgen s feast day on the 12th. Many people spend the afternoon and evening decorating christmas trees attending church services eating traditional dishes and opening christmas presents.
Those that don t celebrate on christmas eve do so on christmas day. The german tradition of celebrating christmas on. Children open their gifts to diffuse the excitement for. Christmas day is also important.
The traditional evening meal includes carp and potato salad. The 24th of december is the first holy day a day of rejoicing presents partying and weihnachtplätchen plates of xmas delicacies like pfeffernüsse christl stollen zimmtsterne etc with glühwein fortified glowing wine and the like. Christmas eve is the evening or entire day before christmas day the festival commemorating the birth of jesus. Several different types of advent calendars are used in german homes.
According to the old christian tradition the period from st martin s day on 11 november until 24 december was a time of fasting. As well as the traditional one made of card that are used in many countries there are ones made out of a wreath of fir tree branches with 24 decorated boxes or bags hanging from it. On the wallaby s original answer germans do not restrict their christmas celebrations to the 24th of december. That is why a simple dish is served for example carp because fish is the symbolic fasting meal.
Across latin america and the united states latinos celebrate christmas on the 24th. On christmas eve some germans celebrate by going to church eat carp decorate tree and exchange presents. Why do germans eat potato salad on christmas eve.