Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-02-17
Christmas and New Years i'm
Gcrmany

tor. Uitt preface by ". p. Willis, recently
published by Hiiey 9. Putnum.]
! We have lately witnessed the most beautiful
and interesting of all German festiyals-Christ
mas. This is here peculiarly celebrated-A-
bout the commencement of December.the Christ
market or fair, was opened in the Remberg,
and has continued to the present time. The
booths, decorated with green boughs, were fill
ed with toys ofvarous kinds, among which du-
ring the first days the figure of st. Nicholas
was conspicuous. There were punches of wax
candles to illuminate the Christmas tree, GIN
rerbread with printed mottos in poetry, beauti-
! full little earthern-ware, basket-work, and a
wilderness of playthings. The 9Th of Decem-
Der, being Nicholas evening, the booths were
! lighted up, and the square was filled with boys
running from one stand to another,all shouting
and talking together in the most joyous confu-
sion. Nurses were going around, carrying the
smaller children in their arms, and parents
bought presents, decorated with sprgs of pine
and carried them away. Some ofthe shops had
beautiful toys, as for instances, a whole grocery
store in miniature, with barrels, boxes and
drawers. all filled with sweet-meats, kitchen
with stove and all suitable utensils, which
could really be used, and sets of dishes of the
most diminutive patterns. All was scene OF
activity and Joyous feeling.
|
oilied bands, which were to be used that eve
ming bv persons who represented st. Nicholas.
In the family with whom we reside, one of our
German friends dressed himself very comicaliy,
with mask, fur robe ana long tapering cap
He came in with bunch OF rods and sack,
and broom for a spectre. After we all had re-
ceived our share of the beating, he threw the
contents of his bag on the table, and while we
were scrambling for nuts and apples, gave us
many smart raps over the fingers. In many
families the children are made to say sIthank
You, Herr Nicholas and the rods are hung up
in the room till Christmas,to keep them in good
behavior. This was only a fore-runner of
the ChFiss-kindchen's coming. The Nicholas is
the furnishing spiritthe Christ kindchen the re-
warning one.
When this time Was over, we all beguii pre-
pairing secretly our presents for Christmas.-
Every day there were consultations about the
things which should be obtained. 1t was so
arranged that all should interchange presents,
but nobody must know beforehand what
he would receive. What pleasure there was
in all these secret purchases and prepara-
tons Scarcely any thing was thought or
spoken Of bat Christmas, and every day the
consultations became more numerous and secret
The trees were bought some time beforehand,
but as we were to witness the festival for the
first time, we were not allowed to see them
prepared, in order that the effect might be as
great as possible. The market in the RRmer-
berg Square grew constantly larger and more
brilliant. Every night ii was lit up with lamps
and thronged with people. Quite forest sprung
up in the street before our door. The old stone
opposite, With the traces Of so many centuries
on its dark face, seemed to stand in the midst
of garden. 1t was pleasure to 90 out every
evening and see the children rushing to and
fro, shouting and seeking out toys from the
booths, and talking all the time of the Christ
mas that was so near. The poor people went
by with their little presents hid under their
cloaks, lest their children might see them: ev-
cry heart was glad, every countenance wore a |
smile of secret pleasure.
Finally the day before Christmas arrived
The streets were so full could scarce make
my way through and the sale of trees went on
more rapidly than ever. These were common
lv branches of pine or fir, set upright, little
miniature garden of moss. When the lamps |
were lighted at nigh,our streets had the appear
ance of an illuminated garden. We were pro-
hibited from entering the rooms up stairs in
which the grand ceremony was to take place, |
being obliged to take out seats in those arrang-
ed for the guests, and wait with impatience the |
hour when Christ-kindchen should call. SIEVE !
raj relations of the family came, and what more
agreeable, they brought with them five or six
children. | was anxious to see how they would
view the ceremony. Finally, in the middle of
an interesting conversation, we heard the bell |
ringing up stairs. We all started UP, and made
for the door. | ran up the steps with the chill 7
dren at my heels, and at tie top met blaze of
light coming from the open door, that dazzled
nae. In each room stood a great table, on
which the presents were arranged, amid fow
ers and wreaths. From the centre, rose the
beautiful Christmas tree, covered with wax ia
pers to the very top, which made it nearly as
light as day, while every bough was hung with
sweetmeats and with gilded nuts. The chill
dren ran shouting around the table, hunting
their presents, while the older persons had theirs
pointed out to them. | had quite little libra
~ Of Germal authors as my share; and many
of the others received quite valuable gifts.
But how beautiful was the heartfelt Joy that
shonc on every countenancc! As each one dis
covered he embraced the givers, and all was a
scene of the purest feeling. 1t is a glorious
feast, this Christmas time What a chorus
from happy hearts went up on that evening to
heaven ! Full Of poetry and feeling and glad
associations, it is here anticipated with ioy,and
leaves pleasant memory behind it. We may
laugh at such simple festivals at home, and
with the feeling of youth, prefer to shake our
selves loose from every shackle that belrs the
rust of the past, but we could certainly be hap
pier if some of these beautiful old customs were
better honorel. They renew the bond of feel
ing between families AM friends, and strength
en- their kindly sympathy: even life long frienis
require occasions OF this kind to freshen the
wreath that binds them together.
New Years Eve is also favored with pecu-
liar celebration in Germany. Every body re-
mains up and makes himself merry till midnight
The Christmas trees are again lighted, and
while the ta5ers are burning down tie family
play for articles which they have purchased and
each one shall win as much as he gives, with
change of articles makes much amusement.-l
One ofthe ladies' .re;oiced in the possession of
red silk handkerchief and cake Of soap, while