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Childhood Memories of Christmas in Germany
My grandparents migrated from Germany long before I was even a
twinkle in my father's eye. My father was two at the time and
doesn't remember much of his life in Germany. My grandmother,
though, has always stayed in touch with her brothers and sisters
remaining in Germany and often longed for a Christmas spent with
her family back home. When I was eight, my father made that wish
come true for her.
I can still remember the look on my grandmother's face that when
my father told her that he was taking her and his family to
Germany for two weeks at Christmas (my grandfather had passed
the year prior). She had never managed to be in Germany at
Christmas time since she left, she always spent Christmas with
my grandfather, my father, and our family. She started
exclaiming all sorts of things in German and hugging my father,
sobbing the whole time.
We arrived in Germany on December 23rd. I was exhausted, but I
couldn't sleep as my grandmother kept poking me awake, trying to
get me to look at all the decorations in her hometown. I said to
her that I thought everything looked rather plain - I was used
to the bright lights and almost garish decorations of home. She
just laughed, and told me to look closer. When I did, I realized
how beautiful everything was, and how very GREEN. There were
boughs of fir and pine everywhere. Most were tied on with big
red bows, and candles were lit in every window. I was in awe.
We reached her sister's home; we'd be staying with various
relatives throughout the two weeks. It was the last Sunday of
Advent, and my great aunt asked me to light the Advent candle
for the evening. I was so honored - my parents never let me
anywhere NEAR our Advent wreath at home. I remember being very
nervous that I would drop the lighting candle and catch the
wreath on
fire.
Christmas Eve, we went to my grandmother's childhood church. I
remember her weeping throughout the service. I asked my father
why my grandmother was so sad. He told me that it was a
combination of happy that she was home again, and sad that my
grandfather couldn't be there to spend the time with her. I slid
across the pew to give my grandmother a hug.
When we returned home from church, I saw a room open that had
previously been shut. I thought it was just a spare bedroom or
something, until I saw the glow coming from the Christmas tree.
It was glorious. They used real candles on the tree, and the
presents were so beautifully wrapped. That's an image I'll never
forget.
After the presents came a feast. I must confess that many of the
foods were so different for me that I didn't enjoy it as much as
I should have. The goose was quite good, and then I loved the
marzipan fruits, cookies, and chocolates.
We stayed in Germany through the Feast of the Epiphany, leaving
on January 7th. I met so many family members in those weeks,
many of which I haven't spoken to since. My grandmother passed
away three months later. My father always said that she was just
waiting to be able to spend one more Christmas in Germany. All I
know is that Christmas in Germany is one I will never forget.
About the author:
Jane S. Roseen became the sole Owner and President of Harmony
Sweets in 2005. Since then she has taken a small, successful
online gourmet chocolate shop and made it a name recognized
world-wide. Harmony Sweets' original mission focused on
individual consumers purchasing gourmet chocolates from around
the world for their friends and relatives. Roseen expanded that
mission to include corporate gift-giving.
Website: http://www.harmonysweets.com
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