Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad! Joie Noel! Frohliche Weinachten! Sretan Božic! No matter what language delivers this greeting, our emotions and feelings immediately bring to mind memories of past Christmases!
In these modern times, it is not uncommon to be bombarded in the commercially oriented world with reminders of the Christmas season as early as October. We are promised, or at least encouraged, to buy early and abundantly in order to insure everyone's Christmas wishes to come true. Blinding lights on our houses transform our neighborhoods and communities into neon Christmas wonderlands. Our Christmas lists seem to be growing longer, but with less joy in giving. Life at this time can be a whirlwind of parties, decorating, shopping, cooking, baking and entertaining; sometimes even detracting from the true meaning of Christmas.
Multitasking is to the new generation what relative simplicity was to those who are now turning 60 or older. Each from their respective ethnic background and childhood are able to recall Christmas memories.
In the small town of hilly and mountainous San Georgen, near Salzburg, Austria, in the late 1940's, December came with at least a foot of white, soft snow underfoot; icicles, sometimes dangerously hanging and dropping from roofs and eaves. We knew Christmas was coming! The female adults were busy with knitting needles and yarn almost at all times as they were seated comfortably by the fireplace or pot belly stoves; simultaneously keeping an eye on the children as they were doing homework, playing or reading. The men were outside in the barn, or whittling wood for some important project. A few weeks before Christmas, simple sugar cookies were rolled out, cut into shapes, decorated, then gently placed in containers to be stored away for that special day. Strudel dough was also rolled and stretched out on the table into a thin, almost translucent, crust; filled with chopped walnuts, raisins and sprinkled with cinnamon; then sugar was generously drizzled over all. Lastly, it was carefully rolled into a long jellyroll, baked and stored. Christmas Eve, no matter what the weather, the men and children of the house, shovel, saw and ax in hand, trudged into the deep snow to find that perfect Christmas tree, to be decorated after supper. When the tree was set up inside the house, the decorating began. Simple, colorfully, painted wood decorations such as hearts, animals, a few handed down glass ornaments from generations past, walnuts covered in tin foil, and bright paper chains made by the children, were happily placed around the branches. A paper or straw star was placed respectfully at the top of the tree to light the way to Bethlehem. A pair of the children's shoes was placed on the thick windowsills for Saint Nickolas to fill with candy, or fruit such as apples or oranges, if the children were good this year; but if the children were naughty, he/she would only get coal in his shoes. Straw was scattered on the compacted hard dirt floor to welcome Krist Kindel into the house. Saint Nickolas, a thin, gentle man who loved children, dressed in white Bishop's robes, a Mitre on his head and a Bishop's staff in his hand, would interview the children to determine if they were good this year. If they were not good, no gift would be left by St. Nickolas, only a lecture.
Midnight Mass was mandatory by the whole community of neighbors, ending with the congregation joyfully singing "Silent Night" or "Stille Nacht". "Frohliche Weinachten" cheerfully greeted all outside the church. On the morning of Christmas Day the Christ Child, Krist Kindle, left loving hand-made gifts near the tree; usually something all the children in the family could use, such as a toboggan, wood wagon, or wooden rocking horse, and, of course, thick woolen socks, hats, mittens and scarves for everyone in the family!
Christmas dinner was mostly a family affair, with children enjoying the atmosphere of love and warmth to honor Jesus' Birthday and, of course, tasting those wonderful treats earned for being good all year!
