I can hardly believe himself - but I have not told you yet of Christmas! So here it for today. In Germany, Christmas is probably the most important festival of the year. I know Easter is for Christians even more important, but Christmas is also less religious people like me a great date.

I've already told you that in Germany there is the Advent. The four Sundays before Christmas, so each lit a candle on a Christmas wreath. And you have an advent calendar, behind the door every day, chocolate or something else is found. Is this waiting period is finally over, it's Christmas. We celebrate as early as 24 December. In my family the day begins after a nice breakfast and lunch so that we recoup the Christmas tree from outside, place it in the apartment together and decorate. But that makes each family differently. Then we get dressed festively, we gather after dark to see the beautiful trees, listening to Christmas music and light the candles. And then the mess. We present the gifts to each other and pack it out. Then there is a festive meal. In many families there on Christmas Eve to eat itself nothing special, but only on the first Christmas holiday, so on 25 December. For us it is already on 24 the evening a delicious fondue.

I've already told you that I am not religious. For me, Christmas is a family festival, a ritual that I look forward to. But of course I respect it, if Christians want to celebrate in my area that day, the birth of Jesus. Many of them go on 24 December in the Church. There are several ways to do that. One can even go to church in the afternoon - then there is usually a children's Christmas pageant with Mette, or you can go late at night, around midnight. Then the church is festively lit, a decorated tree stands at the altar with candles and you see a nativity scene carved with the figures of Mary and Joseph and the newborn. In this Christmas Eve, as the service is called, the churches in Germany are full. Many of the people who normally never go to church would not let themselves miss this special evening.

On 25 and 26 December is a public holiday in Germany, most people do not work also. This time is often used to visit family and celebrate with them yet again. I wish you well now: Merry Christmas! And a Happy New Year.

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I can hardly believe himself - but I have not told you yet of Christmas! So here it for today. In Germany, Christmas is probably the most important festival of the year. I know Easter is for Christians even more important, but Christmas is also less religious people like me ...