'Holiday tree' travesty

I'm so glad that where I live it is still called Christmas. Half the towns here have Christmas parades and christmas trees.

There are Creches and Menorahh's on public property and private property. And horror of horrors.....children are taught about Christmas and Hannakuh in public schools.

Oh, and they had a Thanksgiving Feast in school yesterday.

Merry Christmas Baby
Merry Christmas Baby
Merry Christmas baby

Merry Christmas baby
Sure did treat me nice
Merry Christmas baby
Sure did treat me nice

Bought me diamond rings for Christmas
I feel like I'm in paradise
Be at my side
I got music on my radio
Feel my vibe
I got music on my radio

I feel like I'm going to kiss you underneath the Mistletoe
Santa's coming down the chimney, half past three
All those pretty presents for my baby and for me

Merry Christmas baby
Sure did treat me nice
Treat me so nice
Bought me pretty presents
I feel like I'm in paradise

Merry Christmas girl
Merry Chrismas baby
Merry Chrismas baby
Sure did treat me nice
You know you do
Merry Christmas baby
Sure did treat me nice
I got a lot of pretty presents
I feel like I'm in paradise

Merry Christmas baby
Merry Christmas baby
I feel like I'm in paradise
In paradise
Merry Christmas baby
Happy New Year
Merry Christmas baby
Merry Christmas baby
Merry Christmas baby
Merry Christmas baby
Merry Christmas baby
and a very Happy New Year

A little history:

Many Christmas traditions practiced around the world today started in Germany.

It has been long thought that Martin Luther began the tradition of bringing a fir tree into the home. According to one legend, late one evening Martin Luther was walking home through the woods and noticed how beautifully the stars shone through the trees. He wanted to share the beauty with his wife so he cut down a fir tree and took it home. Once inside he placed small lighted candles on the branches and said that it would be a symbol of the beautiful Christmas sky. Hence, the Christmas tree.

Another legend says that in the early 16th century, people in Germany combined two customs that had been practiced in different countries around the globe. The Paradise tree (a fir tree decorated with apples) represented the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden. The Christmas Light, a small, pyramid-like frame, usually decorated with glass balls, tinsel, and a candle on top, was a symbol of the birth of Christ as the Light of the World. Changing the tree's apples to tinsel balls and cookies; and combining this new tree with the Light placed on top, the Germans created the tree that many of us know now.

Today, the Tannenbaum (Christmas tree) is traditionally decorated in secret with lights, tinsel, and ornaments by the mother and is lit and revealed on Christmas Eve with cookies, nuts, and gifts under its branches.

And don't forget Saint Nicholas Day....where you get either switches and coal if your bad and fruits/candy/nuts if your good.

"And don't forget Saint Nicholas Day"

Never! ;)

Once, I was in Germany on Dec. 5th, at a toy store, looking for gifts. They were closing early, so the owner could go home and be St. Nick.

Yes, switches, and Knecht Ruprecht! A woman in my German class told that when her husband was a child in Austria, the brother actually got PUT into Knecht Ruprecht's sack! Motivation to be good! In that case, it was uncles who played the roles.

Our German school has St. Nick, in Bishop's costume, rather than Santa Claus. It is a nice touch.

Germans really DO know how to celebrate Christmas! Another good source is Maria Trapp's bio, where she describes their traditions.

SOME day I want to have a big round Advent wreath hanging from the ceiling!

Thx, Frohe Weihnachten. (When the time comes! Almost Advent, and there are several nice German Advent songs . . . )

Since we are reminiscing don't forget about the Christkindlmarkt

Advent - The season of advent (the coming of the Saviour), is a holy season of the Christian church, the period of preparation for the celebration of the nativity or Christmas. It is the beginning of the Christian year.

In Eastern Orthodox churches - where it is also called Winter Lent- it lasts 40 days, beginning on November 15, and is usually ushered in with the opening of the town Christkindlmarkt or Christkindlesmarkt (literally - Christ child market). Generally held in the town square and pedestrian zones, the market combines shopping and pageantry as well as tradition. On opening night and, in some towns, every night, onlookers welcome the Christkind, or Christ child, in the form of a golden-haired angel played by a local youth.

Some of the most popular items at the Market are the Nativity Scene, "Zwetschgenmenner" (figures made of decorated dried plums); "Nussknacker" (carved Nutcrackers).

"Gebrannte Mandeln" or candied, toasted almonds; assorted cookies like Lebkuchen and Magenbrot (both forms of soft gingerbread. It is used to produce gingerbread men and the witch houses made popular by Hansel and Gretel.

Christstollen, a sort of egg bread with candied fruit); and not least, "Gluhwein", hot mulled wine.

Mulled wine is wine, usually red wine, combined with spices and usually served hot. In the old times wine often went bad, but by adding spices and honey it could be made drinkable again. Nowadays it is a traditional drink during winter, and especially around Christmas, to warm you up.

Gluhwein is usually prepared from (not too expensive) red wine, which is heated and spiced with cinnamon sticks, cloves and sugar.

The most famous Christkindlmarkt is held in the city of Nuremberg

Kris Kringle is an alternate name for Santa Claus and was in popular use in the United States through the middle of the 20th century.

The name is derived from the German Christkindl or Christkindlein (Christ child).

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.