With the holiday’s right around the corner, it’s hard not to reminisce our childhood and holidays of yesteryear. In each culture, there are differing values and traditions that are celebrated in different ways.

During the 70’s, growing up ‘German’ in Europe was one of the most fascinating and magical decades. Having strong German roots, our family participated in many German Christmas traditions. One of those traditions was Advent. The Advent, or Christmas calendar, is a picture-box calendar decorated with wintry, Christmas scenes, biblical characters and ‘St. Nicolas.’ On the face of the calendar are 24 small doors; each containing a small chocolate – one opened each day for the holiday season. The December 24th door, which is the ‘Heiligabend’ (Christmas Eve), is usually the largest door on the calendar and most often contains a chocolate Nativity. As children, we relished in this fun, and tasty feature of the holiday season.

But Advent wasn’t simply comprised of the Holiday Calendar; we also partook in the Advent Wreath, or ‘Adventskranz’ which was beautifully displayed on tables throughout the house. Wreathes held four candles; the first candle being lit the fourth Sunday before Christmas, and another one each Sunday thereafter. Around the evergreen wreath of candles, our family would gather as each candle was meticulously lit. My mom would recite a simple, German passage each time she would light a candle:

“Advent, Advent
Ein Kerzlein brent.
Erst Eins,
den Zwei,
den Drei,
den Vier -
den steht der Christkind vor der tur.”

Which translates into: ‘Advent, Advent, a candle burns. First one, then two, then three, then four – then stands the Christ Child before the door.’

In Germany, it is the ‘Christkind’ (Christ Child) who brings gifts on Christmas Eve.

Another childhood pastime was St. Nikolaustag Nikolaustag (St. Nicholas Day) was a fun and lighthearted tradition whereby children everywhere anxiously awaited the arrival of December 6th when the Nikolaus, or Weinachtsmann (Santa Claus) came. Leading up to Nikolaustag, we children would have to behave very well, because St. Nikolaus could ’see everything’ we did. And the night before December 6th, we would have to clean our winter boots meticulously to put outside our doors. Why the heck would we clean our boots and place them outside our doors? Well, I’ll tell you why – if we were good, and our boots were really clean, St. Nikolaus would stuff our boots with candies, little toys and chocolates. If we were bad, we would receive a bundle of switches or lumps of coal.

Unknown to popular American custom, the ‘Weinachtsmann’ was conceived by German-American Illustrator, Thomas Nast, who created the Christmas image of Santa in America – which ultimately set a precedent for the permanent, symbolic establishment of Santa Claus.

Traditionally, German Christmas is observed through ‘Heilige Drei Konige Tag,’ or Three Kings Day (also known as the Magi or the Wise Men). In some parts of Europe, such as Austria, Germany and Switzerland, the Letters C + M + B (Caspar, Melchor, and Balthazar – and, ‘Christus mansionem benedicat,’ meaning ‘Christ bless this house.’) are etched with chalk above doorways and home entrances on January 6th. Of course, this is the epitome of the 12 Days of Christmas

Finally, on the ‘Cristkind Abend (Christ Child Eve or Christmas Eve), aside from the Weinachts Baum (Christmas Tree custom started by Martin Luther), families receive ‘Bunte Teller,’ or colored plates filled with oranges, candies, Marzipan (comprised of almonds and sugar), Lebkuchen (gingerbread), Stollen (fruit bread) and an assortment of chocolates and other goods. Before any gifts are exchanged, Christmas Carols like Stille Nacht (Silent Night from Austrian composer Franz Gruber) are sung by the tree.

To this day, I am still amazed at the profound effects of Christmas’ past have had on me. As a child, the holiday was mystical and magical, as an adult, its beautiful memories are forever etched in my heart and soul.

Whatever holiday you celebrate during this time of giving, I’m wishing all a happy, memory-filled, holiday season…

 

A European Christmas
By CarolAnnB – Social Media Sorceress & More
COPYRIGHT – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Dream weaver, spin your golden realm
as night falls upon me and I drift to dreamland
Wave your magical wand and gently fill my air
with perfumed rose petals in dreamy sleep’s snare

Paint a sky of blue, purple, if you please
sprinkle with silver dust and a smattering of trees
and sculpt a cobble-stone bridge, in the middle of the way
and spring an ocean breeze ‘midst the glistening, sunny rays

And dream weaver, send me love; and happiness, too
make me laugh carefree with joy, and send away my blues
And when I wake, and find my troubles once again nearby
Dream weaver spill your magical dust;
Once more, I’ll close my eyes.

Dream Weaver’s Magic
by CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd – Social Media Sorceress & More
Copyright – ALL Rights Reserved
Excerpt from “Awakenings”

Robert Dobbs 2010

Robert Dobbs, Democratic Congressional Candidate for the 1^st District in South Carolina acquired his flavor for politics when he was just 18 years old. His early political life was primarily in the Republican Party; however, Dobbs explained that vital social issues changed his views, “I walked away a number of years ago (from the Republicans) because they were not inclusive of someone with a moderate to liberal political belief.”

On a more sober note, Dobbs expressed his deep concerns and life passion for equality in health care, “Having children with autism has really opened my eyes to the system; and how it doesn’t always work for people with disabilities.” Dobbs remarked that his experience working in government has given him the inside knowledge on how to make the (health) system work for people and for people with disabilities. “(It’s) families and disabled people who’ve driven me towards congress,” says Dobbs.  Having been a victim of big health care insurance policies, Dobbs understands the grave situation average American families face each and every day; especially those suffering from a range of ailments that are commonly turned down by health insurance – even denying woman health care treatments due to rape and domestic abuse. One of Dobbs primary objectives when elected to Congress is to strongly support health care reform that will provide access to affordable health insurance for every American and prevent insurance companies from denying coverage to anyone based on “pre-existing conditions”– simultaneously controlling health care costs for the middle class. “I see what is going to happen,” says Dobbs, “the senate is going to water down the healthcare bill. The members of congress need to come back to establish the public option or Medicare- for- all.”

Dobbs also praised the President’s funding plan, “When President Obama took office; within 30 days he sent money to the States to assist the Medicaid programs, which included autism therapy.  My daughter was on a waiting list for therapy services and probably would not have been off the list for about two years if it wasn’t for President Obama.”

Dobbs comes across as sincere, personable, and open-minded. He has a penchant for the ordinary citizen; and has demonstrated his proclivity in that regard when he told me how one Wisconsin woman tremendously inspired him, “I met Ms. Vel Phillips; an older, nice lady that opened my eyes to what’s been happening in the inner cities.”  Dobbs worked alongside the civil rights leader brainstorming on how to bring social justice to these often-forgotten communities.

Among his many life inspirations, Dobbs remarked how his wife (who used to work for Senator Russ Feingold) helped mold his opinion into what it is today. Fondly, Dobbs recalled what his wife Kirsten had told him long ago, “Your beliefs and ideals are much bigger than the Republican Party can take. You need to follow that passage.”

Dobbs believes that the small business owners are the lifeblood of America.  “I was right at the front lines when my business took the brunt,” says Dobbs, but after restructuring, “I’ve got the entrepreneurial spirit and knowledge to bring to Congress to help perpetuate a healthy economy.” Dobbs said that if 10 or 20 small companies have the economic boost to add 10 jobs here and there that these numbers will start adding up quickly.  

When asked what advice he could offer the President on the war in Afghanistan, Dobbs replied, “I would ask for immediate withdrawal – no more money going to Afghanistan.  If the Afghan people want to pay government contractors (on their own) that would be fine,”he paused, “Afghanistan is the second most corrupt government in the world, and we’re pouring millions of dollars into this country. We need to set a one-year time frame to withdraw troops.” He went onto saying that currently the people of Afghanistan are not getting the necessary funding and the reason they hate us is because we’ve been supporting a corrupt government there.

An animal lover and family man, Dobbs said, “I’m no better than anyone else – I’m just a man — I don’t look down on people, I don’t criticize. I’m just a guy.”  Dobbs joined the military because he believed he should for his country.  And today, he believes in his people in his district, in his nation…and he believes that there are those who want to make a difference. “We have to have someone fighting there for us; someone who is listening to the people,” says Dobbs.

When asked what his greatest blessings in life were, Dobbs said, “My children are the biggest blessing in my life – they give me such a focus; they make me happy. You love every day you’re around them – your whole family gives you drive and inspiration to keep you going – all you care is that you’re there – that’s what makes your day.”

• To learn more about Robert Dobbs or how you can volunteer or participate in his campaign for Congress, please visit his Website at http://www.ElectDobbs.com today.
• Follow Robert Dobbs on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/ElectDobbs or on FaceBook here: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1132682526&ref=name

The Distinguished Gentleman – a candid look at Robert Dobbs
Copyright – ALL Rights Reserved
By CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd