Christmassy Thoughts

What is it that actually turns the time before christmas into the famous "Vorweihnachtszeit"? Having been in England last year, I decided that this term specifies something which is particularly German.

The first and foremost thing is the following: The English do not have proper christmas markets! I found this to be essentially missing when strolling the streets of London. Of course the Londoners, being very cosmopolitan and so on, try to simulate christmas markets. But to be honest: Every atmospheric thing there was imported from Germany. Seriously, you could have "Bratwurst" and "Glühwein" but it didn't feel right.

So I asked myself the question: What is so special about our German pre-crhistmas period. (Even the English word sounds odd...)

First of all there are the candles. Connected with the tradition of the Advent, they create a thoroughly peaceful atmosphere. They make you sit down, look at the warm light and relax for a moment. There are certainly more candles in german houses during December and I am convinced that there is a more peaceful atmosphere due to that.

And even in the streets you can find the lights. Of course it is not candles there - that would not be very reasonable with the winter weather conditions. But you can find various kinds of decorations (including an enormous amount of lights) above the streets, in the display windows and so on. Of course some people say this hype around christmas everywhere gets on their nerves. But I am sure that really most of us are left in a more positive mood.

Talking about the Advent there is also the famous calendar. Certainly you can buy a proper advent calendar in Great Britain, especially containing chocolate. But I had the impression that nobody really cares to make one themselves. But excuse me if I got anything wrong: what is bad in making one yourself and create it for one of your beloved ones? Exactly, there is nothing better in the world!

Then in addition there is the music and the silence. I don't want to judge about British christmas music right now - carol singing is definitely a brilliant idea! But what about the silence? Snow (if there is any) makes the world quiet. This creates, again, such a peaceful atmosphere that people tend to be in a good temper much more often. The problem with England is: The tiniest glimpse of snow makes all trains break down and the whole transport systems collapse. Therefore people are so worried about how to get anywhere that there is no time left to relax in the snowy silence.

You might have already guessed: I am a huge fan of London and England in general, but during the pre-christmas period I would always choose to be in Germany and I can only invite everybody to come here and have a look yourself. But please, do not do it with a whole school class. Because you see, there is the silence aspect...