Holidays everywhere are laden with traditions just as tables around the globe are laden with seasonal delicacies decreed by generations of yore. With a large international representation, many members of The University of Mississippi think of the holidays back home. Heidi Kempt-Chew, who earned a doctorate in secondary education from The University of Mississippi, has vivid memories of Christmastime in Germany. Most families have an advent wreath. It's made of evergreen to represent eternal life and has four candles, one to be lit each Sunday before Christmas day.
People come home from work for their cup of coffee and cake, and then they light the candles.
She related that children also enjoy the Advent calendar, with each day in the month before Christmas opening to a chocolate or toy treat. Dec. 6 is celebrated as the birthday of Saint Nikolaus in Germany. The story goes that Nikolaus, a bishop, shared gifts with children in need each winter. Naughty youngsters get a stick delivered from Nikolaus and his servant Ruprecht. I never got a stick.