New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-26
THE GERMAN CHRISTMAS.
Preparations Begin Weeks Before and Mem
cries Last for Years


Perhaps at no time during the year are the In
euenceS OF home Efe more strongly emphasized
throughout the German Empire than at Christmas
The great festival is essentially homo festival,
and its joys not those OF single day. They
begin in anticipation and In act weeks before and
last sweet memories for years. perhaps after
As early November the preparations begin, but
they do consist in mysterious shopping expedi-
nozs made alone. nor In hiding away In ones
room to work gift TO be kept in sacred
secrecy until Christmas morning. It is common
work in which the children Join In the even
iag. when the simple supper has been cleared away
they eli gather around Mutterchen at the long
table. and here nuts cracked. almonds banched
and marzipan. the celebrated almond paste and IA
eorite Christmas sweet Is made And while fingers
busy "dtterchen'' t IDS In singing the Christ
song. ''SuIle Nacht" or 20 du Frolche." On
such evenings there is no power strong enough to
draw the boys and young men Of such families
outside the magic OF the home circle.
So II goes for perhaps six weeks. the Christmas
spirit growing and more each day.
About the second week in December. in every
park and square in the city and down the sides of
the broader Streets forests OF fir and pine trees
spring UP. These trees. with firm stand. sell for
from TO marks. Here is another Joy
shared by the children for they are always al
lowed to go with ''mutter' 70 select the tree a
very serious matter which requires much discus
sion and careful consideration
There Is not house be found In all Germany
unless It is house Of mourning where the Christ
tree is not lighted ''Heilige Abend." The
very loneest old couple IN the tiny cottage by the
roadside Sit hand In hand blinking at the candles
until their poor eyes grow dim with memories.
The Oldest old maid alone In her house cheats
herself for this one time in the year into the de-
fusion that the joys of motherhood are hers by
drawing children about her tree.
On "Heilige Abend' all is in readiness school
books have been thrown aside with a joyous
Eurrah!" or the German equivalent. The house
L put In perfect order. The tree is dressed and
Summers IN the dim light. At i've o'clock the en-
IRE family goes TO church. where two large Christ
mas trees stand one each side Of the altar.
This service lasts only hour. and returning
Rome. the family sing carol outside the closed
door, "Stile Nacht' perhaps or a solemn Christ
mas song from some cantata oratorio Then
TIE door is opened. and there STANDS the lighted
uee. Its decora tions II the true German custom
aas been followed. consist chiefly of gilded nuts
sfples and oranges. though later custom has added
osi.s eno chains and glittering gew-gaws. A figure
O white robed angel is hung near the top. and
PiesehtSuob OF me manager OF BethIehenl Is
never missing under the tree.
brings al least part OF the presents. If Mich
Gas appears with his big sack filled with toys he
Z greeted with no familiar hilarity he puts the
question TO some wondering little one: "hanst du
and The child falls on trembling knees and folds
rs little hands in reverent awe, repeating. with
eyes fixed the face OF the saint:
ss5 5- S5 Colt. mach mich Fromm Dass ich in
Every child during the course of the evening
lusl co something-say a prayer sing d song or
In Olden times when houses were larger and
People lived more IN the country 1t was custom
~ 70 have small Tree for each person, This was
GEL On table with the gifts around It. The custom
= scn IN vogue in large country houses. the trees
y. tae family and guests being placed IN the salon
II craving room while giant tree trimmed s oy
me oanghters Of the house, IS placed IN the dining
Leeaa Tor the servants and retalners. Inc custom
y singing the carol before the tree Is universal
Christmas time with loving loyalty toward the
tleesa4 palace IN Potsdam. where the Kaiser and
- zsAsern spend an ideal home Christmas surround
Before the princes grew up and the Crown Prince
1S eesled with his studies and official visits, with
ftsnee AdslberG, the kaiSers sailor son. off in dis
mai joyful family festival A tree for each mem
~ ~ OF the family IS placed in the white sa.on-
ssS.si one for the little daughter and continuing
mn ie1gn larger ONES Tor eaei one Of the princes,
g THO ceiling for Water and sMutter." Christmas
80 IS spent Icy the Imperial fanny in the narrow
81 neme circle. only the most closely related or
.sIsA mumate friends beng invited.
= or many years IL has been the custom of the
Asaise- 70 take walk in the city late Christmas
nnst., wrapped IN his long military cloak and
goo piece is dropped by him into unsuspecting
ssanas. On one recent occasion the. discovery of 3
~ fse X, which was being tTu1dled nome by a tired
hose sslc Aotner brought great JOY 10 one poor
-, ans Emperor probably has an idea Of perpetual
ne ne olo country custom OF Yule Knapp. When
r. nflstfnas Eve festivities in full swing
s1s, Monic come q loud knock the door and
bsystssssious bead would be poked in. followed by
~ Susole Which was thrown across the floor with
as AZ cry Yule Rlap2," The bundles were always
osrs Y ~ some mysterious way, roll upon roll OF
Hghf SSsl9g unwrapped before the present came 10
cali ssSsInss,upses = would be what the Germans
Of s,e , Knapp" would ind only a 9hrick or a piece
st1nTx " reward him Tor his labor OF untying
Recently the Crown Prince has taken to following