The First Advent
This year it fell on November 25th, my Birthday.
The first Advent is the fourth Sunday BEFORE Christmas Day.
How excited we were.
Running up four flights of stairs to wake up the first Räuchermann (incense smoker).
Impatiently waiting for grown ups to catch up.
Gently taking him out of his box, gently carrying him down to the Gute Stube (the best room of the house). Only good little girls and good little boys are allowed to carry him.
Placing him on the fireplace mantle where he fills the air with exotic incense. And where soon he will be joined by three more Räuchermännchen, the next three Sundays.
Christmas Season had officially begun.
Cone incense is placed inside and lit.
We were spellbound, waiting for the smoke to come out of their mouths.
The tradition is observed in many parts of Germany and other central European countries. But nowhere more celebrated than in the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) central Europe near the Saxony/Bohemia border.
Ore Mountain Folk Art, in the form of Smoking Figures (Räuchermännchen), Christmas Pyramids, Nutcrackers and many other colorful and hand carved ornaments are known the world over.
Are you almost ready for Christmas?
Gina
https://betweennapsontheporch.net/
Dear Gina - love all of your little German figures - but I didn't realise before that you could get ones that have smoke coming out of their mouths. I can well imagine how spell bound and excited you must have felt as a child. I have a German Erzgebirge wooden Pyramid or carousel which twirls around from the heat of candles which I love.
ReplyDeleteDear Rosemary,
DeleteThe Erzgebirge Pyramids are extra special. You are so fortunate to have one. They are fascinating and fun to watch when the candles finally produce enough warm air to make it turn.
Isn't it lovely to have such fond and happy memories of special things from our childhood Christmas celebrations.
ReplyDeleteYour German figures are adorable.
Are you going to celebrate with a 'white Christmas' this year Gina?
Hugs from us both XX
Dear Mary,
DeleteIt seems that life was so simple. We were so excited about such small things. Even though traditions were repeated from year to year, it never got old.
We have snow. It never melted from a few weeks ago. It would be nice if new snow came and made things sparkle.
Dear Gina,
ReplyDeletein my Old World Tradition there was no Räuchermännchen and I only heard of him from your blog. However, there was a Gute Stube which we were not allowed to enter until the tree was lit, the door had opened and we had sung at least one Weihnachtslied. Oh, the excitement of it all!
I adore your beautifully painted Tondino Plate with the green apples. Could it be that you will be getting more snow just in time for Christmas?
Hugs, Sieglinde
Dear Sieglinde,
ReplyDeleteOh yes I remember the "Gute Stube". The room that was ice cold and would be warmed by a fire only on special occasions.
I will have to paint you a Tondino in the New Year. We are supposed to get new snow before Christmas...but we have been promised before.
Wonderful memories and love your little smokers! So fun to carry on the tradition. Beautiful roses, too. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteHi Judy,
DeleteIt's the traditions that we carry with us and what makes the celebrations special. Thank you Judy for stopping by. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas.
What a beautiful collection. I have never seen all of them or the story before.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a Merry Christmas
Myrna
Hello Myrna,
DeleteYou are so nice to leave such a sweet comment. Also wishing you a very Merry Christmas.