Fotos c) by Margit Anna Binder
Time passed by so fast and Christmas once again comes nearer in gigantic steps.
It is tradition in Austria that on the first Sunday in Advent, the first candle on the Advent Wreath is lit and on every Sunday afterwards another candle follows, until all 4 candles on the wreath are lighting, that is usually a few days before Christmas Eve.
The Christkindl markets in Austrian cities are beautifully decorated, the stalls offer toys, warm winter clothes, shiny Christmas decoration, sweet Christmas cookies, candles and much more. With people getting hungry and thirsty, walking around on cold winter days, the stalls also offer hot potatoes, fried chestnuts, roasted potatoes, Langos , sausages and hot drinks like Jagatee, Glühwein and Punsch.
I remember when I was a child and lived in my parents’ house, on the afternoon of Christmas Eve, we sat in the kitchen and made knots in the strings of the chocolate decoration, which “were hung on the tree by the angels later on”. At least we thought that angels did that and that the Christ child would bring the presents afterwards. That is the story we were told, when we were young.
My dad was in the living room and helped the angels with the decoration of the Christmas tree.
While my mum prepared the dinner, at Christmas, we traditionally ate fish, rice and potato salad, she told us stories and we listened excitedly. On one occasion she suddenly looked at the window and said: “I just saw a little angel flying by the window.” My siblings and I, quickly looked out of the window to see the angel, but it had gone. I really believed that I had seen a little piece of the long angel’s dress.
We waited impatiently for the traditional ringing of a small bell that permitted us to walk into the living room, as happened every Christmas in our house. We were not allowed to walk in earlier, because the angels and the Christ Child would disappear immediately, if seen, and they would take our presents away.
The candles on the Christmas tree shone brightly and underneath lots of presents were placed for each of us, but first we had to say our little poems and to sing Christmas carols, which was actually very nice and I enjoyed that. Then we looked at the gifts that the Christkindl (Christ Child) had brought for us. Afterwards the whole family sat for the Christmas dinner and everyone enjoyed that feast, well I know I certainly did. That was also the only one evening in the year that we were allowed to stay up late which in reality was past 11 pm.
I like to look back to those times and every year around Christmas time I get a warm nice feeling in my tummy, the same as I had when I was a child. It is a wonderful feeling and it reminds me of my parents and their ability to make Christmas happy for us children.
Having said that, I would like to wish a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR to all you nice people who visit my blog! Stay healthy, enjoy yourself and come back to read more on my site in 2010!
