Tradicion de navidad en germany

Christmas Traditions in Germany
German families prepare for Christmas throughout cold December. Four Sundays before Christmas, they make an Advent wreath of fir or pine branches with four coloredcandles. They light a candle on the wreath each Sunday, sing Christmas songs, and eat Christmas cookies. The children count the days until Christmas with an Advent calendar. Each day, they open a littlenumbered flap on the calendar to see the Christmas picture hidden there.
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, homes are filled with the delightful smells of baking loaves of sweet bread, cakesfilled with candied fruits, and spicy cookies called lebkuchen.
Bakery windows are filled with displays of lovely marzipan confections in the shape of fruits and animals. Best of all are the famousoutdoor Christmas markets. The stalls overflow with all sorts of holiday toys, gifts, decorations, and delicacies.
Many German children write letters to St. Nicholas asking for presents. St. Nicholas Dayis December 6. Other German children write their letters to the Christ Child. In some areas, the Christ Child brings gifts to children on St. Nicholas Eve and in other areas on Christmas Eve. He isdressed all in white, with golden wings and a golden crown.
Christmas Eve is the most important time of the Christmas season for families. Some even say it is a magical night when animals can speak.The wonderful tradition of the Christmas tree, which started in Germany, is the heart of the celebration. Grown-ups decorate the evergreen tree with beautiful ornaments of colored glass and carved wood,silver stars, and strings of lights. A golden angel is placed at the very top of the tree.
Under the Christmas tree, the family arranges a manger scene to depict the stable that Jesus was born in.Parents may also pile presents from the Christ Child beneath the Christmas tree's richly decorated boughs. Just after dark, a bell rings, and the excited children run into the room to see the...