Christmas Poems
Christmas Stories
A Visit from St. Nicholas
Christmas Carols
Songs and Hymns
Nutcracker Suite
Articles
Traditions

Christmas Eve
Esther Schönwandt

Children in the German part of Switzerland believe that Christkind (Christ child) brings the gifts. She lives in heaven and drops off the presents while mother is decorating the tree. Children are not allowed to see the Christkind.

As a child Christmas Eve was a day filled with anxiety and way too many hours. In the morning we still had to go to school which gave us some distraction. Once at home my brothers and I would eagerly await sundown. On a dry day our dad would go for a walk with us children while mom would stay home and decorate the tree. We would walk through the almost deserted streets of the city and admire the festive decorations in the shop windows. The only few people out on Christmas Eve after the stores closed were other fathers with their children.

At home our mom would be busy decorating the Christmas tree. Our tree was always a spruce tree, decorated with baubles in all kinds of colors, a little tinsel, red candles, and sparklers. Under the tree was a nativity scene which we loved the re-arrange on a daily basis much to our parent's chagrin. And then of course the gifts were placed under the tree as well.

Once we would come home from our walk, we were not allowed to enter the living room until we would hear the sounds of an angel candle chime. Once entering the living room, our eyes would light up by the sight of the beautiful tree, lit candles, and sparkling decorations.

[ Back to index ]

Email the link to this page to a friend.