The Stories and Music of Christmas in Germany -- (Part 2)

A look ahead at the Chicago Chamber Choir's upcoming Christmas concerts on Dec 13, Dec 15 and Dec 16...

For more details, and to buy tickets, please click on this link here:

CCC WEBSITE - BUY TICKETS

In this article:
1. “O Tannenbaum” - Martin Luther and The First Christmas Tree
2. Christmas Eve in Germany
3. “Stille Nacht” - The true story of the World War 1 Truce on Christmas Eve


Why are we so excited about celebrating “Christmas in Germany”? There is something very magical, youthful and legendary about the German Christmas. Much of what we love about Christmas: – the excitement, the delicious foods, the sweet treats, the beautiful music, the warmth and glow of lights and decorations, the love and fellowship with friends and family – is encapsulated by the German stories and traditions. The way the Germans celebrate Christmas has become the way MANY people celebrate Christmas here in the US. Many of their traditions were adopted and borrowed by the English, and in turn, adopted and incorporated into US culture too.

We can't wait to share with you our sampling of some of the best German Christmas music – to take you back to the ROOTS of these German Christmas legends and traditions.

The main offering on our program will be the Bach Magnificat – a resplendent and classical German work, which Bach wrote in 1723 for the Christmas Vespers in Leipzig. In this original Christmas version, Bach incorporated several Christmas texts into the traditional “Magnificat” form. These Christmas “interpolations” lend a joyful, celebratory feel to the whole work, which makes it a highly appealing Christmas piece. It wasn't until several years later that Bach revised it, removing the Christmas interpolations to make the piece suitable for use throughout the year. CCC will be performing it in its original Christmas form.
I will write more about the Bach Magnificat in Part 3 of this blog.

But first, I want to share with you the stories surrounding some of the other music we will be performing for you.

1. “O Tannenbaum” (Oh Christmas Tree) - Martin Luther and The First Christmas Tree

Such a well known German carol, but why a song devoted to a tree? Well, the Christmas Tree is traditionally one of THE most important symbols or features in the German Christmas celebrations. The Christmas tree, as we know it today, originated from Germany. It was adopted by the English during the Victorian era, but it started well before then, in 16th century Germany.

Martin Luther (a German monk, priest and professor of theology) is most famous for beginning the Protestant Reformation in 1517, and starting an entirely new branch of Christianity. But, he was also a great lover of the Christmas season.

According to popular legend, Martin Luther was responsible for introducing the first Christmas tree into the home, in Germany. On his way home one snowy evening, Martin Luther was overcome by the beauty of a fir tree, and the way the snow that covered it shone and twinkled in the reflected moon and star-light. He ran home to tell his family about it, but found that he just couldn't adequately describe the magic of the snow-covered tree, so he went back out, chopped it down and brought it home to share with his family. To mimic the twinkling moon and star-light of the snow on the tree, (that reminded him of the stars that hung over the manger where Christ was born), Martin Luther decorated the tree with candle tapers. It is said that his wife, so taken with this tree in their house, then hung the cookies and candies she had just been baking for Christmas, on the tree too. And then his children followed suit, and hung their toys on it too. And so, this became the first traditional Christmas tree in Germany.

2. Christmas Eve in Germany

Since then, throughout the centuries, the German Christmas traditions have revolved around several key elements – St. Nicholas, Advent, Christkindle and the “Weihnachtsbaum” (Christmas Tree). The Christmas tree is typically not put up until December 24 - “Heiligabend” (Christmas Eve). But, it also marks the beginning of the “Bescherung” (the gift-giving), which happens on December 24, (not the 25th).



Typically, in most German households, the family gathers together on December 24, and the children are kept occupied in some way (either out at church or playing games in another room), away from the main living room, while an adult brings in the Christmas Tree and decorates it, secretly. The tree is traditionally placed in the center of the room, and is festooned with lights, garlands, ornaments, little toys, cookies, candies and sweet treats. Colorful wrapped presents are also placed under the tree. When it is all ready, a little bell is rung, signaling that the children can now enter the living room. And so, on the evening of Dec 24, the children see the “Weihnachtsbaum” (Christmas Tree) for the first time, their eyes lighting up in awe and wonder.

A simple meal is served on “Heiligabend” (Christmas Eve), in contrast to the large Christmas feast the next day, on December 25, either before or after the“Bescherung” (the gift-giving) begins. In many house-holds, before the presents are opened, songs are sung and the family dances together, traditionally around the Christmas tree, as a way to prepare for, give thanks for, and “earn” the gifts that are about to be opened.

In some households, it is thought that an angel or Christkindle is the gift-giver, (representing the Christ child) and, to re-enact this, a child dressed up as an angel will hand out the gifts. In other households, a Santa-like figure (the “Weihnachtsmann”) holding the gifts in a big sack, will hand out the gifts.



But, in either case, the “Weihnachtsbaum” - the Christmas tree - is central to the room, and central to the family celebrations. The tree itself is thought to be a symbol of life, at least, if not the main symbol of the Christ child.

In our Christmas concerts, CCC will be singing “O Tannenbaum”, one of the most famous German carols celebrating the magic of the Christmas tree.

3. “Stille Nacht” (Silent Night) - The true story of the World War 1 Truce on Christmas Eve

One of the most extraordinary examples of the Christmas spirit of peace occurred on Christmas Eve, 1914, between German soldiers fighting in the trenches, and their British “enemies” across the way. Fraternization between the two sides had already begun – noone knows which side started it, but living in such close quarters, both sides were aware of each other and could hear each other talking. They had begun offering small signs of (temporary) peace and friendliness towards each other, inbetween battles. e.g. putting up white boards to signal a (temporary) cease fire while soldiers retrieved the bodies of their fallen comrades to bring them back for burial.

But then, on Christmas Eve, something really amazing happened. The whole day had been quiet with very little shelling or firing. The British soldiers were waiting and watching, wondering when the next attack would start. The German soldiers had put up a row of Christmas trees along the top of their trench and had decorated them with small candles. The British soldiers, seeing this, were suspicious at first, wondering if this was some trick. But then, the Germans began singing “Stille Nacht” (Silent Night). Can you imagine, the sound of this beautiful carol, floating across No-Man's land, into the silence, after so many months of shelling, noise, death and destruction.

After they finished, the British troops burst into applause, and then reciprocated with a carol of their own – “The First Noel”. The Germans applauded them, and offered another carol - “O Tannenbaum”. After this, the British came back with “O Come All Ye Faithful”. The Germans knew this song and joined in, but with the words in Latin that they were familiar with - “Adeste Fideles”. After this, both sides laughed and clapped and then began shouting greetings across No-Man's land to each other, inviting each other to come over. Still uneasy at first, both sides hesitated, but eventually, a small group of German soldiers bravely walked into No-Man's land towards the British side. Astonished, a few British soldiers went out to meet them, and they shook hands.



After that, they began conversing using a mixture of broken English, some sketchy German, and sign language. Soon, both sides sent their captains, and a truce was agreed upon, for the remainder of Christmas Eve and day. Before long, a bonfire was lit, and more and more soldiers from both sides began gathering around it, mingling together – British khaki and German gray. And then, in the spirit of Christmas, they started exchanging small gifts: - British cigarettes for German cigars, English tea for German coffee, English corned beef for German sausage. Badges and buttons from their uniforms were exchanged, as were pocket knives and belts. Some men shared post-cards and photos of their sweet-hearts and loved ones.

Here are the words of one British soldier, writing home to his sister about this event: “These (Germans) are not the “savage barbarians” we’ve read so much about. They are men with homes and families, hopes and fears, principles and, yes, love of country. In other words, men like ourselves. Why are we led to believe otherwise?”

The next day, on Christmas day, they gathered again, with more talking, joking, laughing and gift exchanging. Someone found an old leather ball, and many joined in a football game. Eventually, as Christmas day came to an end, there were hopes of extending the truce, but senior officers would not hear of it. With heavy hearts, the men realized they were bound by orders from above to continue the fighting.

Here again, are the words of the British solider, in his letter: “I was just starting back to the trenches when an older German clutched my arm. “My God,” he said, “why cannot we have peace and all go home?” I told him gently, “That you must ask your emperor.” He looked at me then, searchingly. “Perhaps, my friend. But also we must ask our hearts.”

It may only have been for 24 hours, but the music and magic of Christmas brought peace and a new understanding between these two warring sides. And the legacy of this true story has proved to be far reaching and powerful in the (nearly) 100 years since.


In our Christmas concerts, CCC will be singing “Stille Nacht” (Silent Night) - the famous German carol, that has become well known and loved throughout the world.

For more details, and to buy tickets, please click on this link here:

CCC WEBSITE - BUY TICKETS

Coming up, in Part 3 – “The Bach Magnificat” – Christmas Vespers and German celebrations. What this classical work means for us today.