Lesson 10 - Weihnachtszeit

This weekend is Christimas, so today is a good opportunity to learn some "Weihnachts" vocabulary

night               die Nacht
christmas           Weihnachten
tree                der Baum
fir tree            der Tannenbaum
the present         das Geschenk
to give a present   etwas schenken
family              die Familie
a feast             das Festmahl
Advent              der Advent
Advent wreath       der Adventskranz

In preparation for Weihnachten (Christmas), many German families celebrate Advent. This is a time of religious preparation for the arrival of das Christkind (the Christ Child). Traditional advent activities include the Adventskranz (Advent wreath), which is set up on the 4th sunday before Christmas Day, the beginning of the season. Four candles adorn the wreath, and a new one is lit each week. Families often sing Christmas carols as they gather around the wreath to celebrate the preparation and Christmas season. Children also enjoy the Christmas calendar, which contains 24 doors (one for each day of December leading up to Christmas). Children open one door each day, and find a chocolate treat awaiting them. Many of the calendars also include pictures inside the doors, often Christmas-related. 

Luzern, 22.12.2011
Stephan Wiesner