Germany—Christmas in Berlin

Thursday, December 17, 2009 - rflory

In Germany, the four weeks leading up to Christmas are quite important. This time is called “Advent” which comes from the Latin advenire which means “coming toward.” In these days of coming toward Christmas Eve, which is more important to German children than Christmas Day, Germans will all have an Advent wreath at home. Either homemade or store bought, this wreath contains four candles for each of the four Advent Sundays. The last candle is lit usually right around Christmas Day.

Electric Christmas lighting is also being installed all over in the city streets, on public buildings and in the windows of the private homes. Now is also the time of the quaint Christmas Markets that resemble tiny villages of huts. These markets sell various crafts and Christmas presents. Many Germans will visit these markets more than one time throughout Advent and enjoy wintery beverages like Glühwein (a spiced, hot wine) and loads of Christmas cookies and gingerbread.

After a day of watching TV, playing, decorating the Christmas tree, visiting a Christmas church service and enjoying a festive dinner, presents are exchanged on Christmas Eve. It is also common is to eat some kind of homemade meat dish with pork, duck, or goose.

Recently, the culture of Berlin has opened up to celebrating Muslim or Jewish traditions if they fall into the time of German Christmas celebrations. Although Turkish families will buy a Christmas tree and exchange gifts on Christmas Eve because their children learn about this tradition in school. Especially in multicultural parts of the city, artists and social institutions will organize events to bridge the different traditions.

Ben Seidl and his German-born wife, Jasmin, are NMSI missionaries to Berlin. Ben notes that Christmas time is probably the only time of the year that Germans who don´t think of themselves as believers will attend a church service. People seem to search for meaning in their lives around this time, and in doing so, may often fall into depression or personal problems rather than find real joy in seeking Jesus.

During this time, Berliners will hear about the birth of Jesus. Please pray that their ears would hear and their hearts would be opened to the Gospel message. Pray that Christians in Berlin will be a light in the city and more encouraged to share their faith.

"On Christmas Eve,” says Ben, "we (their church RESET) will have a family style meeting, meal, and time together for all those who do not have family. This time of the year people can fall through the cracks with all the celebrating going on around us. We want to be available, and we want to be a place of love and grace for the lonely. "