Guten Tag!

Another Jahr has passed. I stare at the Christmas tree in disbelief, “Where has the time gone?” Yes, it is indeed Weihnachtsabend again, and my family and I are decorating unseren Weihnachtsbaum. We always decorate it on Christmas Eve. You might think, “Right, what a procrastinator!” Would you like to know why we wait until Christmas Eve?

Well, there is a good reason. We wait because it is not only a tradition in my family; it is also a German tradition. Weihnachtsabend is when you decorate the tree and exchange Geschenke. Although, like everything else, it might not necessarily be the way everyone does it.

In truth, I am not writing this post to talk about Christmas decorations and presents. I am writing this post to talk about a special event that happens while decorating the Christmas tree – the very last step.

Nun da stehe ich, in front of the tree. It’s time to put on the last Weihnachtsbaumschmuck – the angel, but not just any angel! The place of honor on top of our tree goes to the Nürnberg Engel. Die Geschichte of the Nuremberg angel ist eine schöne, but traurige story.

The story goes like this: a long time ago there was a goldsmith who lived in Nuremberg with his lovely wife and children. This goldsmith was a very respectable and diligent worker. One day, his only daughter died from a fever; the family was heartbroken. He thought, and thought about a way to cheer everyone up in time for Christmas Eve.

Am Weihnachtsabend, his wife entered the Raum where the Christmas tree stood; she looked up and saw this angelic being with her daughter’s face. Her face was carved out of beeswax, her curled blond hair was real, and the golden wings were made from real feathers. The beautiful dress and golden apron were crafted in the typical Bavarian tradition. Die Mutter fell to her knees and thanked God, truly believing that ihr Kind was now safe in Heaven.

Ever since that time, it has become a German tradition to put an angel on top of the Christmas tree as a sign of God’s joy.

It is my great joy that I wish you all eine Frohe Weihnachten.

Bis bald,

Nathalie

Vocabulary:

Weihnachtsabend – Christmas Eve

Weihnachtsbaum – Christmas tree

Ein Geschenk – a present or gift. PLEASE be careful not to say, “Ich habe ein Gift für Sie!” because it means, “I have some poison for you!” You would put yourself into a…hum…very awkward situation.

Weihnachtsbaumschmuck – Christmas tree ornaments, or decorations.