The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1890-12-24
CHRISTMAS IN DEUTSCHLAND,
Ho"st Goose mud rlnmPudding md L
Free for EysrvhnIS


Chrl0tmus in the Fatherlaud, the
coming OF the christkind, with al It's
attendant ceremonies and pretty little
customs, is thus graphically described
by Fraulein Kotzenberg OF the British
legation:
"Christmas in Germany is cl:ildren's
day, when, with gifts and kind words.
weSeek to make merry tho hearts of the
young people,. In orthodox families
there is q beautiful custom Of building
the cradle in one corner OF tho room
where, in moee Of different colors, arc
represented tho plains on which the
shepherds watched their iocks by night.
The little woody sheep, the dogs, the wise
men from aiar, are all rcpresented and
above the cradle where the christkind
l!e5 comes down tho light OF the
wondrous star in the east. On Bonded
knee the wise men show their alteration
Of the child. Tho building of this moss
cradle and the whole sceno is done by
the mother and father, though some
times the children are allowed
to tAlo part. The tree ia usually
placed on large table covered
with fresh white cloth and
SET il the middle OF the room, and in
the dressing Of this only tho parents are
present. Then Oh Christmas eve when
1t IL dark the Children ore all assembled,
waiting ~ joyous expectation the sound
OF the bell, which will be signal that
the tree ID ready. AT lust it comes and,
with happy hearts, the children enter as
the doors are thrown ope.1. Hhut
wonderful sight it is that meets their
gfze, the tree ell silvery white, slstea.
ing with the alum sp.inklcd over il
while hot, tie candles shining like go
many sta:s, glgss balls OF every color
showing among garlauds OF colored
paper, long strings of raisins and iigs,
PLAN and frosted cakes in every shape
aud design. Beneath the treo i,eaped
on the table in little piles are the useful
presents, the little Initts and caps and
scarls to keep out the winters cold, tho
drums and doll and sleds jingliug with
merry bells, the picture books and gifts
ofevery kind. Above all from the Top.
most branch OF the tree looks down the
figure OF old father Christmas with lila
snowy beard and por,ly form"
The children file in line about the
tree, the Oldest tBt, carrying the baby
and last OF all the little one JUST walk.
ing. AT the piano sits the mother who
strikes chord and the oldest then goes
slowly round the table to discover which
OF the gifts is hers. Ii she pauses before
the heap intended for her the music s
very soft and slow, then as she gradually
Eea!s 1t there comes great crash OF
sound and the excitement is intense.
This soes Oh until each in turn have
discovered her presents when the father
calls them to him and taking on his
knee one child ut time has them re.
peat the little verse, or sing the song
beforehand for this occasion,
Before good night is said the children
cluster round the mother ct tho piano
and Join their voices with her own.
On Christmas day there is roast goose
or venison for dinner and plum pudding
for dessert, with big slices OF cake from
the bakers on at lhis season. These
cakes baked in squares are nearly three
ieet, and pleNtHully stuffed with raj
'ens, currants and citron-do not reese m.
BILE the dark fruit cake OF England and
America. Tie sluliing OF the goose is
prepared in the same manner as mince
meat, and ID quite sweet. Around the
rim Of the dish are placed boiled chest.
uuts, which in Germany are served us
vegetable. We celebrate in Germany
first, second and third Christmas days,
on the 25lh, 2G.h and 9th OF December.
The holidays come to an end on Janu-
airy ., but the great festival after Christ
mas is St. Sylvester's day, which falls on
New Years eve, when cake aud punch
is served in the evening. There is
pretty legend OF ST. Sylvester, which
runs. that on New Years eve, 333, a. D,
the chief OF the Jews killed bull BY.
pronouncing over it the name OF Jeho.
vak, whereupon St. Sylvester brought
the animal back to life by breathing in
lts ears the name ni Christ. Hearingof
she miracle, the Emperor Constantine
and his wife, St. Helena, were at once
converted to Christianity.