The comments in this Note are stolen from the current issue of The Newsletter of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Palatines to America . The author there credits several web sites which have comments on Christkindlmarkt .
That last word is better understood if it is broken into its three parts, Christ , kindl , and markt which are the German words for Christ , children , and market , respectively. These Christkindl Markets are held in most German-speaking countries and in a few North America cities. Often the Advent Season starts with the opening of the town Christkindlmarkt which is generally held in the town square in a pedestrian zone. The market combines shopping and pageantry using a bit of tradition for stability.
Typically, a Christkindlmarkt opens with a golden-haired angel played by a local youth. In some larger towns, this is repeated every night. Popular items at the Market are the Nativity Scene (the creche or crib), figures made of decorated dried plums, carved nutcrackers, candied toasted almonds, assorted cookies, Christstollen (egg bread with candied fruit), and Gluhwein (hot mulled wine, with or without a shot of brandy. The last is to provide energy for the cold winter air. Crafts are to be found, often homemade, toys, books, and generally useful gadgets.
As the custom of giving gifts grew, so did the Christkindl Markets . They have become renown for their special ceremonies, festivities, entertainment, gifts, and food.
The
Munich Christkindlesmarkt
was mentioned for the first time in 1310. The one held in Nuernberg is probably the best known. (Trying to get a hotel room is not easy.) The markets are outdoors in wooden booths decorated with green boughs and holly berry branches. The creche originated in south Germany, where the symbolism of the figures was a means of religious instruction. The oldest known creche is from 1590 at Augsburg.
(10 Dec 03)
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