Recalling German Village Life in Advent

We lived in a magical German village called Schweindorf during my first Fulbright year. Our children counted down the days until December 25 using Advent calendars. They put a BIG shoe outside their door the evening of December 5 for a visit from Nikolaus on December 6. This poem shares our love to all our family, friends and readers during this Advent season. It is a time to value one another and to share our love.

A time of hope, anticipation.
Crisp air outdoors. Candles,
lights, wreaths abound. Advent
calendars to count down.

Small surprises, sweets
behind the tiny doors.
Shouts of glee at the
prizes in little hands.

Smells of fir boughs,
pinecones, gingerbread
houses, baked goodies.
Traditions and rituals.

My classroom desk in
Germany held wonderment
as I walked in. An Advent
wreath with a lit candle.

Thirty faces watched me
as I reacted in surprise and
expressed thanks to all
the smiling faces.

How different it was this
Fulbright Year of teaching
in Germany. Still years later,
our lives forever changed.

Moonlit walks on snowy
December nights through the
tiny village in Germany.
Outdoor Christmas markets

adorn towns with sights,
smells, sounds of Christmas
music. Rich traditions and
new cultural experiences.

One shoe outside the door
awaiting the visit of Nikolaus
to fill it with candy and fruit.
A revered day – December 6.

The Christ Child visits on
Christmas eve when families
gather to exchange their gifts.
Church services at midnight.

There is much to be said
for sacred family time and
celebrations. Stores closed on
Sundays, holidays. These

days remain in our hearts
and minds to be forever
treasured and shared in
future shared holidays.

We love the old fashioned
Christmas when people
take time to value one another
and share their love.