Christmas in Germany
"Froehliche Weihnachten"
Advent is particulary important to German people. This is the time before christmas when people remember Jesus' birth and the fact that he will return to earth.
Most German families have an "Adventkranz", a circular decoration which holds four candles. Excitement grows as one candle is lit at the beginning of every four weeks of Advent. A present is given every week of advent.
Germany's giftbringer is Christkindl, the Christ Child's messenger. She is lovely fair-haired girl with a crown of candles. She brings apples, nuts and sweets in a basket. In some homes people give each other surprise presents which they have made themselves but they say they come from the "Christmas Angel" (Christkindl).
