by HF | Jun 3, 2013
Glass Ornaments and Tinsel Glaskugeln und Lametta Besides the tree itself, Germany’s contributions to Christmas ornaments include blown glass globes and tinsel. Learn more about both… Blown Glass Tree Ornaments Germany and Austria have contributed many of the...
by HF | Jun 3, 2013
The German Christmas Pickle Tradition: Myth or Reality? German Myths: Die Weihnachtsgurke-Legende The glass Christmas pickle ornament is supposed to be a long tradition in Germany. But does this “old German tradition” really hold up to close scrutiny? Here’s one...
by HF | Jun 3, 2013
Christmas Customs: Der Tannenbaum – Der Weihnachtsbaum “O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, wie treu sind deine Blätter! Du grünst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit, nein auch im Winter, wenn es schneit.” – Text: Ernst Anschütz, Leipzig, 1824, set to a traditional tune. Various...
by HF | Jun 3, 2013
Christmas Traditions: Barbarazweig (Barbara Branch) The patron saint of miners, artillerymen and firemen, die Heilige Barbara (Saint Barbara), has lent her name to an interesting Germanic Christmas custom that surely has its roots (literally) in pre-Christian pagan...
by HF | May 24, 2013
German Protestant Religious Reformer (“Der Reformator”) Martin Luther (1483-1546), a former Augustinian monk and theology professor, began the Protestant Reformation by nailing his “Ninety-Five Theses” to the church door in Wittenberg, Germany in 1517. Or did he?...
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