Theresa Thompson Frau Ruppelt 3 rd

Christmas trees The fir tree has a long association with Christianity, it began in Germany almost 1,000 years ago when St Boniface, who converted the German people to Christianity, was said to have come across a group of pagans worshipping an oak tree. In anger, St Boniface is said to have cut down the oak tree and to his amazement a young fir tree sprung up from the roots of the oak tree. St Boniface took this as a sign of the Christian faith. But it was not until the 16th century that fir trees were brought indoors at Christmas time.

There are Christmas items we take for granted that have their origins in German Europe. The next time you decorate the Christmas tree, take a closer look at the ornaments. Those shiny glass balls (Glaskugeln) and tinsel (Lametta) are German inventions. Tinsel (Lametta) was probably invented in Germany in the early 1600s. The precise details about where and by whom are vague, but the original tinsel was made out of real silver with machines that pressed the silver into thin strips. Silver was durable, but it tarnished easily, especially with the smoke from the candles commonly used on Christmas trees in Germany. Later versions were also made out of pewter, a tin alloy.

Nutcracker Fairy Tale:] The Nutcracker is a holiday fairy tale about a young girl, Clara, and her very favorite Christmas. Her Godfather, Drosselmeier, is a magical, mysterious character in her life. This Christmas he has a special gift for her, a beautiful Nutcracker doll. She received the present from him at the annual family party. Very excited about the new doll, Clara wants to stay up all night with it, but her family sends her off to bed. After everyone has left and the family is asleep, Clara sneaks downstairs to look at her Nutcracker doll. She eventually falls asleep, and with a little help from Drosselmeier's magic, her dream begins. She's suddenly woken by mice and the Mouse King appears and tries to kidnap her and take her to his kingdom. Clara looks everywhere for her Nutcracker, but he is gone. Suddenly, the Christmas tree grows to an enormous height and everything seems out of proportion. Finally, soldiers appear, and behind them is the Nutcracker. He has come to save her from the Mouse King. First, he must fight the Mouse King. His soldiers and the Mouse King's mice go to battle. After an exhausting exchange, the Nutcracker defeats the Mouse King. Clara has found her Prince. Appearing through the smoke, comes the Nutcracker Prince who has come to take her away to his special land and to show her his magnificent palace. Their journey takes them through the enchanted land of the Snow Queen, Snowflakes and Candyland, where they meet sweets from around the world. They are met by the Sugar Plum Fairy and the beautiful waltzing flowers. Clara does not want to leave her Prince or Fantasyland, but on Christmas Day she awakens under the Christmas tree with all her new friends gone and her family around her.Nutcracker doll Mouse KingClaraChristmas tree Mouse King ClaraPrinceNutcracker PrinceSugar Plum FairyPrinceChristmas tree

German Stollen (Sweet Bread) German Stollen Ingredients: *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* 1/2 cup raisins 1/2 cup candied red cherries, halved 1/4 cup currants 1/4 cup candied citron, diced 1/4 cup rum 4 1/2 cup flour 2 yeast, active dry packages 1 cup milk 1/4 cup butter or margarine 1/4 cup sugar 1/2 tsp. salt 2 eggs 1 tbsp. orange peel, finely shredded 2 tsp. lemon peel, finely shredded 1/2 cup almonds, blanched chopped

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