We have a lot of Christmas traditions in America but you may be surprised to know where they really came from. America, as we all know, is a very young country compared to other advanced countries, especially in Europe. Many, if not all of our Christmas traditions and music came from European heritage.
An interesting comparison of customs in the United States and Germany has shown how many of our traditions came from primarily the German speaking countries of Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Emigrants from Germany, and to a lesser degree, England, brought their music and other traditions to this country. They incorporated their old customs from their homeland to their new home, celebrating traditions they knew.
German Christmas Traditions
The most important major holiday in Germany is certainly Christmas, or “Weihnachten.” This season begins with the start of Advent that commences with the four Sundays before Christmas.
They decorate an Advent wreath that is made from fir or pine boughs. On it are placed four candles that are lit each Sunday during the Advent period. The Advent calendar, usually made out of cardboard with 24 tiny windows, are opened one at a time, until Christmas. Sometimes the windows contained a small present or candy for children.
In Germany, Santa Claus, or Saint Nicholas, does not come on Christmas Eve but on December sixth, the feast day of Saint Nicholas. It is said that Martin Luther quelled that practice and replaced it with the Christ child who brought gifts to the children. Another tradition common in Germany is Mistletoe – not to encourage a kiss but to ward off disease and old age.
The Christmas Tree
The Christmas tree – der Tannenbaum, came to America during the Revolutionary War in the 18th Century by Hessian soldiers who were mercenaries for the British. The tree was a fir or spruce and a nativity scene was usually placed beneath the tree. In Germany and other countries, candles were used to light the tree, under strict conditions to prevent fire.
Early tree decorations consisted of tinsel, glass balls, sweets and a star or angel on top. Christmas glass ornaments, invented in Germany in the late 16th Century, were brought to America from Germany by dime store magnate, F. W. Woolworth in the 1880’s.
The famous carol, O Christmas Tree or O Tannenbaum, dates from 1550. Martin Luther is said to be credited with the custom of having the Christmas tree in the home.
Christmas was and is a time for families to enjoy an evening meal, sing carols, read the story of Christ’s birth and exchange gifts. Christmas Day is usually a family day spent celebrating with relatives. The traditional meal is usually goose, rabbit, a roast, or more rarely, a turkey.
At Christmastime it is traditional to make stollen, a form of German coffee cake. Also making gingerbread houses, nativity scenes, and nutcrackers are long standing traditions. Epiphany, or 12th night, is January sixth and is observed in commemoration of the Magi, or three kings.
The custom of sending Christmas cards also came from Germany. Many earlier cards were made by German printers. Today it is a very popular custom in the United States to send cards to family and friends. It’s easy to see that without these German influences, Christmas would be very different in America today.
Christmas Markets
The famous German Christmas Markets, started in Nuremberg in 1545, begin each year in late November and are held in most German cities. They are very popular beehives of activity featuring music; beer; food; hot-mulled wine; apple cider; tree decorations and all sorts of handmade gifts.
In the United States this tradition is celebrated in certain cities that have a substantial German presence. Each December, Chicago has a very popular and famous open-air German Christmas Market that began 20 years ago in 1996.
Christmas Music
Early German Christmas music dates from the Middle-Ages – some from the 11th Century. The music came from folk melody origins with the words or text written by local clergy. This music was humble and solemn and sung in churches.
In the Reformation some of the music was intended for use outside of the church. The religious connotations were there, however, the nature of the carols were more secular than the music sung in church. In the 19th Century much of the Christmas music we know today came into being. Some of the favorite carols we sing today actually came from German traditions. Lo, How a Rose E’re Blooming, circa 1599, In Dulci Jubilo, circa 14th Century and the best know version, Good Christian Men Rejoice.
Probably the most famous and favorite carol we sing today is, Silent Night, Holy Night, in German, Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht. It was written by an Austrian church organist, Franz Gruber and first performed in 1818. The first American performance of Silent Night was in New York City in 1839. It has been translated into more than 100 languages.
Some famous English traditional carols we sing are: The First Noel; Hark the Herald Angels Sing; Joy to the World; Deck the Hall; Away in The Manger; Angels We Have Heard on High; The Holly and the Ivy and Carol of the Bells.
English Traditions
Not to be slighted, but of lesser significance in terms of Christmas traditions in America, are customs from England. As German immigrants brought customs to the United States, so did the English bring theirs. German traditions were also adopted by the English. Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s German husband, brought the first Christmas tree to Windsor Castle in 1841.
A well-known English tradition is the Christmas cracker. It is a paper-covered tube with festive covering. When the tabs at the end of the tube are pulled there is a loud crack and out comes a paper hat to wear at dinner plus a riddle to read at the meal.
A traditional English Christmas dinner may consist of a turkey or roast beef with Yorkshire pudding or a stuffed goose. Dessert may be plum pudding with brandy poured on it and then set aflame. The custom of baking the plum pudding with a small charm in it is said to bring the person who finds it good luck the following year. The Wassail Bowl with hot spiced wine is a welcome treat to top off the dinner.
Most people in the United States have grown up with many of these ancient European traditions; thinking they were part of our American heritage. Indeed, they have been widely incorporated into the fabric of our culture.
Because of our multi-cultural nature many varied Christmas traditions can be found in our country today. Regardless of how it is celebrated, we wish all mankind a time of joy, peace and understanding this coming season and throughout the New Year.
Don’t miss “T’was the Night Before Christmas,” The Danville Community Band’s free annual Christmas concert, Sunday, December, 13, 2015, 3:30 p.m., East Bay Four Square Church, 2615 Camino Tassajara, Danville, Ca.
Please submit your questions and comments to banddirector01@comcast.net
Visit our website at www.danvilleband.org for up-to-date information about the Danville Community Band.
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