There's More Than Meets the Eye at Christmas Time in Germany
- 13 years ago
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It's cold in Germany right now, but that's to be expected. Many people are out doing their Christmas shopping, and that's to be expected as well. But is this all there is to it? Our German correspondents report on what may seem to have been missing in present-day Christmases.
After five slow years, Germany's retail unions are happy with the sales numbers this Christmas season.
And many businesses make a large amount of their yearly revenue around Christmas.
But has Christmas just become a commercial shopping extravaganza - and a mad search for the best gift? Or is there more behind it?
In this Catholic church in Germany, mostly elderly people celebrated the spirit of the Christmas season.
[Andreas Coersmeier, Provost, Catholic Church, Dortmund]:
"Visits and presents are good, but why we actually do this, because God became human, and that is the reason for the joy. We sometimes neglect to remind each other, why we actually celebrate Christmas."
For the people in this church, the Christmas season is a way to strengthen their faith and remind people of the true meaning of Christmas.
For many Germans, being close to their family is an important part of Christmas.
[Martin Mischkowsky, Passerby]:
"One goes home to his people and celebrates with his family. And for me this is Christmas, to get closer to the family."
Even though many people do a lot of sometimes stressful Christmas shopping, there seems to be a desire for a more quiet and self-reflecting time.
[Mrs. Naumann, Passerby]:
"In the past, it was cozier. If I look back, I would say that in the past we moved closer together. The pleasant anticipation, that already weeks before we do something together - we baked."
For some, music is also an important part of their Christmas tradition.
NTD News, Dortmund, Germany.
It's cold in Germany right now, but that's to be expected. Many people are out doing their Christmas shopping, and that's to be expected as well. But is this all there is to it? Our German correspondents report on what may seem to have been missing in present-day Christmases.
After five slow years, Germany's retail unions are happy with the sales numbers this Christmas season.
And many businesses make a large amount of their yearly revenue around Christmas.
But has Christmas just become a commercial shopping extravaganza - and a mad search for the best gift? Or is there more behind it?
In this Catholic church in Germany, mostly elderly people celebrated the spirit of the Christmas season.
[Andreas Coersmeier, Provost, Catholic Church, Dortmund]:
"Visits and presents are good, but why we actually do this, because God became human, and that is the reason for the joy. We sometimes neglect to remind each other, why we actually celebrate Christmas."
For the people in this church, the Christmas season is a way to strengthen their faith and remind people of the true meaning of Christmas.
For many Germans, being close to their family is an important part of Christmas.
[Martin Mischkowsky, Passerby]:
"One goes home to his people and celebrates with his family. And for me this is Christmas, to get closer to the family."
Even though many people do a lot of sometimes stressful Christmas shopping, there seems to be a desire for a more quiet and self-reflecting time.
[Mrs. Naumann, Passerby]:
"In the past, it was cozier. If I look back, I would say that in the past we moved closer together. The pleasant anticipation, that already weeks before we do something together - we baked."
For some, music is also an important part of their Christmas tradition.
NTD News, Dortmund, Germany.