Y’ALLÓ Winter 2001
International CornerÓ
By: August Stark
Christmas Memories of Austria
Christmas that wonderful time of the year, when the child in all of us returns. We remember Christmas’s gone by and can almost pretend that we are there once the sights, sounds, and smells that have become so familiar to us take hold of our senses. Christmas means many different things to many people. It could mean a morning of excitement when opening presents delivered to you by good old Santa himself. It could mean the birth of the Christ child. It could mean a wonderful time spent with family and friends, sitting down at a huge decorated table to enjoy the Christmas feast. It could mean carols sung by so many who have taken on the spirit of Christmas lifting their voices to the heavens in praise of the coming savoir. Ah yes, Christmas, the one time of year when even the adults turn their memories and feelings back to the Christmas’s of their childhood.
Christmas is one of the few holidays that is celebrated around the world. I have always been fascinated at the different ways Christmas is celebrated by various ethnic groups. I have heard numerous stories by various friends and relatives regarding the different ways people throughout the world celebrate Christmas. I have seen many different Christmas programs that celebrate Christmas around the world. Most Christmas rituals are steeped in tradition. Whether they are from a religious perspective or a pagan perceptive, the core of the Christmas message has not changed since the beginning when the first Christmas was celebrated. Good tidings and joy to all mankind, blessings to all, for great joy has come to the human race during the harsh winter months. Christmas marks a special day that is magical for all, young and old. To feel the excitement and joy this season brings is a pleasure that cannot be measured. My family is no different, we have celebrated the time honored tradition of Christmas the same way for over 100 years.
My Ancestors come from the heart of Europe within the country called Austria. We come from the providence of Styria, in a small mining town called Eisenerz (I-zen-air-z) which means Iron ore. The town boasts of the largest mineral mine in all of Europe. It is a small town of approximately 7,000 people. The town is surrounded by beautiful mountains, wonderful tall pine trees that cover the lower part of the mountains like a furry blanket, and a unspoiled clear glacier lake where the water is so pure you can still drink from it. The area is a perfect place to celebrate a traditional Austrian Christmas. It is covered in snow by the time November rolls around. The pine trees hold the snow on their branches as if trying on new winter clothes they are showing off to the world with pride and elegance. Christmas time is a glorious sight indeed, in the small town of Eisenerz.
For the villagers of Eisenerz, the Christmas celebration begins during the Christmas Advent. Advent usually starts 4 weeks before Christmas. Austrians mark the weeks of Advent by lighting candles on an Advent wreath. Advent marks the anticipation of the coming of the Lord. The idea is to use the wreath in conjunction with worship services or personal and family devotions on the four Sundays in Advent. You light a candle at the beginning of each service and blow them out at the end. On the first Sunday in Advent, you light the first candle, have your service, then blow out the candle. On the second Sunday in Advent, you light two candles first the one from the previous Sunday, the second one, have your service, then blow out the candles. On the third Sunday in Advent, you light the two candles from the previous weeks, in the order you lit them before, add the third one, have your service, then blow out the candles. On the fourth Sunday in Advent, you light the three candles from the previous weeks, in the order you lit them before, light the fourth one, have your service, then blow out the candles. You should get a stair-step effect, since each candle is a different length by now. If you have a fifth candle in the center, then on Christmas Day you light the four candles in the order you lit them before, light the center candle, have your service, then blow out the candles.
On December 6th, in most of Austria St. Nikolaus comes as a precursor to the birth of the Christmas child. St. Nikolaus is the Austrian equivalent of Santa Claus. One of his jobs is to ring the large bell he carries. The bell serves to ward off evil and to call the children and announce that they are invited to board the Christmas sleigh for a leisurely ride around the Town Square. St. Nikolaus goes to the home of all the boys and girls within the village. The evil spirit Krampus accompanies him. Once St. Nikolaus enters the home, he opens a huge book with the names of all the boys and girls in the village. St. Nikolaus then tells the children whether or not they deserve to receive the gifts that are to come from the Christ Child. If the children have been bad Krampus will hand out punishment for the misdeeds of the past year.
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Most children sit still and tremble at the awesome sight of the two opposite beings. St. Nikolaus is dressed in a very religious fashion, he looks like a priest that is getting ready for the Christmas service. He is decked out in a papal hat, red robes with white trim, and his hair and beard are snow white. He carries a shepherd's staff in one hand, and a large bell in the other hand. St. Nikolaus is awe inspiring to the young children as he looks majestically like a messenger from the heavens above. Krampus, on the other hand, is a manifestation of evil. He is covered in fur, has the face of a demon, horns or antlers on his head, and a tail that is pointed. St. Nickolaus controls Krampus by keeping a chain locked around his neck. This ensures he can not break free from St. Nickolaus. Krampus carries a bundle of young thin twigs that he uses to punish boys and girls that have been naughty throughout the year. St. Nickolaus controls the evil spirit and will not allow bad things to befall the Villagers during this magical time of the year, unless of course you have been bad, then Krampus may give you a little scare. Legend has it that the evil Krampus escapes for a short time each year from St. Nickolaus. Krampus can then do as he wishes. To the good boys and girls he can do no harm. Krampus is allowed to roam the streets for a time. He thwacks passers-by with his switch of young twigs, which causes recipients of his hits to be grateful that their heavy warm laden coats are a little like protective armor. Krampus traces his roots to pagan beliefs and despite centuries
of entrenched Catholicism, Krampus remains as much a part of the holidays in Austria as St. Nickolaus himself. St. Nikolaus usually asks the children of the home to sing him a song about Christmas and the coming birth of the Christ child. Once the children have satisfied this request St. Nikolaus passes out a present to each one of the children. The gifts from St. Nikolaus could consist of candy, toys, or oh my goodness young ones hold your breath, "clothes". Once St. Nikolaus has accomplished what is needed in the home he blesses it and all who reside in it. He tells all to prepare for the celebration of the birth of our lord God Jesus Christ who will come on the eve of Christmas. He leaves the home by ringing his large bell to ward of the evil spirits that travel with Krampus.The coming of St. Nicolas marks the beginning of the Christmas celebration. In Austria, Santa Claus or St. Nicolaus does not bring the gifts at Christmas time. The one who brings the gifts in Austria is the Christ Child referred to in Austria as the Christ Kind (Chris-t, Kin-d). Christmas is a celebration that marks the start of something special. A magical happy time when the Lord of love is born and comes to the entire world to bring joy, peace on earth, and happiness to all.
In Eisenerz, as in the United States, the Christmas tree plays a very traditional roll in the Christmas celebration. In Austria, it is decorated with cookies, candies, ornaments, candles (now lights), and many different colored ribbons, silver icicles, and angel hair. A common sight around the Christmas tree is the nativity scene, which is displayed at the front of the Christmas tree. There are processions known as showing the Christ child, where children carry around a manger door to door while singing Christmas songs as they march throughout the Village Square. Nativity plays are also performed. They are similar to the Spanish posadas, which dramatize the Holy Family's journey to Bethlehem. On Christmas Eve, as the snow blankets the entire town, the people of Eisenerz begin the Christmas celebration. Adults begin to decorate the Christmas tree and keep it hidden from the young ones. It is traditional not to view the Christmas tree until the evening of Christmas Eve. The town's people are also making preparations for a traditional Christmas Eve dinner. The festivities are usually started at 6pm when friends and family get together. The meal usually consists of fresh baked breads, cheese, pickled items, smoked meats, cut up vegetables, smoked fish, and of course to wash it all down a bottle of Austrian beer or a glass of good wine. Once Christmas Eve dinner has been finished, all gather around the Christmas tree to sing Christmas songs like, Silent Night (which was written and composed in Austria). The singing lasts about an hour. Once the singing is completed it is time to open the presents. Each year a different family member is designated to pass out presents usually the elder in the family like the father, grandfather, or even the eldest child will be given the honor of passing out the gifts. Each person receives a present, each is opened one at a time all savoring the moment as the recipient enjoys and admires what the Christ Kind (Christ Child) has brought them. Opening presents usually lasts a long time. Once all the presents have been opened a final prayer of thanks is offered. At twelve o'clock it is time to go to midnight mass at the local Church. Once the Christmas Eve mass is completed the villagers all rush home. Because everyone knows Christmas day will mark more celebrating and worshipping.
Christmas day begins with a Christmas mass that usually begins at 10 or 11am, followed by the Christmas day meal that consists of many different items. The traditional fare is roast goose, ham, or baked fish but for each family it is different. Most have their own traditions. Our family serves a traditional dinner that consists of Wiener Schnitzel, cucumber salad, vegetables, and either rice or mashed potatoes. Followed by traditional Austrian cookies and coffee.
Once dinner is over adults will spend time relaxing, socializing and drinking the Christmas cheer which usually is vintage bottle of wine, beer, or spiced cider. The children play with their new toys and enjoy all the things that this special time has brought to them. Relaxation and enjoyment is the theme once all the Christmas celebrations are complete.
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As you can tell Christmas for every culture is a bit different and celebrated in a different way, however, the common denominator that makes Christmas magical, wondrous, and special throughout the world is love and caring. It is a magical time when friends and family celebrate the joy of love, the joy of giving, and the blessed birth of the Christ Child. It is when strangers share good will and help those who are less fortunate than themselves. It is when forgiveness, care, and understanding seems to hold a higher place in this world, it is when peace on earth makes sense to all of Gods creatures. It is when we the human race strives to show our more caring and compassionate side. The child in me wishes everyday could be Christmas. May all our readers out there enjoy this holiday season and remember Christmas is after all the biggest birthday celebration of the year. To all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, or as we say in my native language "Frohe Weihnacht und viel gluck im neuen Jahr."
Eisenerz, St Oswald Chruch, back ground the Iron ore Mine.
Submitted by: August F. Stark
Copyright 2001 Tres Amigos PressÓ
