I don’t consider myself a practicing Christian, yet continue to practice – and relish – Christmas, at least certain aspects. In a globalizing and homogenizing world, traditions have the power to ground and to offer a sense of belonging.
My recent journey to Europe coincided with the holiday season and re-exposed me to some of these cherished traditions. Opening one door of my advent calendar daily, from December 1 through the 24th, to discover a different piece of chocolate, used to be my favorite childhood activity, other than opening presents on Christmas Eve. It still is, even when I am content to find something other than candy behind each door.
I experienced two advent Sundays in Germany, and with them, the festive lighting of the first two candles of the advent wreath. For the illumination of the 3rd and 4th, I will be back in Colorado.
Towns and homes I visited were bedecked with seasonal decorations, with each family adding its own touches, thereby beautifying human habitations and gladdening the senses.
Christmas markets, famous beyond Germany’s borders, were in plain evidence. While I did not seek them out, I happened across them wherever I went. Berlin seemed to showcase one on each public plaza. As I am no lover of large crowds, I did not linger long after absorbing the atmosphere. What appeared to be a serious case of associated shopping frenzy acted as additional deterrent.
The new normal, pervasive police presence, in response to last year’s attack at Berlin’s Breitscheidplatz
Mainzelmännchen in the pyramid equals Mainz
November and December weather tends to consist of cool, covered, or rainy skies in many regions of Germany, but I was surprised by a series of snowfalls, albeit short ones. A walk through the wintry woods with my father created one of my favorite memories for this trip. ❤
While the ways to interpret the meaning of Christmas are as manifold as ice crystals, my fervent hope against hope continues to be that, one day, we might all embrace one of its central tenets: Peace on Earth.
Click here for the German version/klicken Sie bitte hier für die deutsche Version:
tanja britton 
The walk through the woods looks like it would have been delightful.
(sorry I can’t say the same about Christmas in cities with crowds of people. The smell, the noise, bright lights and constant materialism does not attract me, I’m afraid. Even when I was working full-time and had money to spend, I’ve never been a window shopper. I’m enter a shop, pick up what I want and then escape 🙂 ).
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Very beautiful path through the wintry wood.
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Thank you, Cornell. It was. I still remember the scene vividly.
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Lovely post and photos, Tanja. Thank you for allowing us a peek into Germany’s festive traditions!
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Thank you for stopping by and for peeking in, Donna.
Warmly,
Tanja
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I appreciate the saturated colors and abstract design in your first photograph.
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I appreciate the comment, Steve. Unlike you, I am not a very technical person, and for my photographs, I am completely dependent on my camera, rather than my skill. I hate to admit it, but I still have not mastered many functions it offers.
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Lovely post Tanja and I enjoyed your photos very much!
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Thank you, Liz. I hope you and Nigel are well.
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Yes, thank you Tanja. Its lovely (in NZ) to have nice warm weather again! Have a happy Christmas and New Year!
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Thank you, Liz. I wish you the same.
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I like your comments about this peaceful time of year. I live in the Alsace right on the border of Germany and Switzerland and I am always so conscious of all the things this region has in common and how many times it has been ripped apart by war.
May the future hold more peace for us all!
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I know about Alsace’s turbulent history, Cathy. It is sad, but at least the situation between France and Germany has been peaceful for quite a while now. The same can’t be said for many hot spots all across the world.
I don’t know what it would take for all of us to finally get along?!
I hope you are well and I wish you a happy holiday season.
Best,
Tanja
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Beautiful photos! I’ve read during X’mas season Germany is the place to be. Germany is also a country I hold in high regard, so I would love to visit there someday.
Hope you’re having a fabulous time there!
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Thank you, Nirmala.
I had a great time in Germany, but am back in Colorado already. 😦 (not really).
I hope you will get to visit one day.
Best wishes,
Tanja
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Yesss! Couldn’t agree more. Let’s celebrate peace! (But yeah I might be a Christmas elf anyway) …
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