I have found the differences in the celebration of Christmas to be quite interesting, and have come to the conclusion that every family had its own traditons as well as local ones. My Schnoor-Brockmann family from Munsterdorf/Itzehoe were Lutherans who celebrated the the church traditions of Advent. I remember having a beautiful Advent calendar as a child here in the USA. This was a beautifully decorated one-sheet calendar with 24 indentations for 'windows.' Every day I was allowed to open one window of the calendar. There would be a religious picture behind each window that foretold part of the Christmas story, building up to the birth of Christ on the morning of the 25th of December. I was always so excited to have my own Advent calendar--not only the one that was for the family. We kids had a new one every year, although the big, beautiful calendar from Germany was reused every year. My mother was raised by her great-grandparents and aunt until she was a teenager. She remembers that the tree and presents would appear on Christmas Eve, long after church service, a light supper, and "early to bed." They would awake to the sight of all the Christmas goodies, and were allowed to open their Christmas stockings before breakfast. My mother said that on the night of 12/5, she and my aunt would put their shoes in the window [eve of St. Nicholas Day]. In the morning, they would find a treat if they had been good, or a piece of coal if they had been not so good. This was the visit of St. Nicholas. My mother hadn't heard of Santa Claus until she came to the USA. They would open the Advent Calendar window after dinner, while the adults enjoyed some schnapps. If my great-grandfather had had a good year, there would be little treats to accompany the window openings. Christmas dinner was always pork roast with lots of homemade sauerkraut, red cabbage, etc. My great-grandmother would bake for weeks: stollen, pfefferneusse, apfel streudel, etc. My grandmother brought these traditions to the US after she brought the children to the States, but the depression and World War 2 soon put a big dent into the celebrations. My parents carried these traditions into my childhood. I remember putting my shoe in the window, etc. When I had children, I could not find Advent calendars like those I described. When smelly athletic shoes became the norm for my boys, the St Nicholas tradition stopped. LOL They were more into Santa Claus anyway and didn't care about this particular tradition. One tradition that I still carry to this day is to light a big red candle that is surrounded by beautiful pine branches and decorations. I recite the Lord's Prayer and request safety and good health for everyone. This is done in remembrance of those who are not with us at Christmas that year. I include not only family and friends who are unable to be with us, but remember the deceased as well. My sons are now adults, and love this simple tradition that has been observed by our ancestors for many generations. A Very Merry Christmas to you all--preserve your traditions, as it is part of who you are! Patrisia Rawlins Mount Vernon, Washington, USA 'Worry looks around, Sorry looks back, Faith looks up.'