The First Advent is always 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.
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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 Räuchermänchen, the next three Sundays.
Christmas Season had officially begun.
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Cone incense is placed inside and lit.
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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 (Räuchermänchen), Christmas Pyramids, Nutcrackers and many other colorful and hand carved ornaments are known the world over.
Wishing you a very happy week,
Gina
Hello there, I have just stopped by through my Cousin Sara's blog. This looks like a wonderful tradition! We light Advent candles but have not seen this before. A very blessed Advent season to you!
ReplyDeleteHello Gloriade, And a very blessed Advent season to you and yours. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment.
DeleteThis is new-to-me tradition, Gina, and so very interesting. Advent is full of rich tradition in so many places around the world.
ReplyDeleteDear Lorrie,
DeleteAs children the First Advent never came soon enough. It was always magical.
And neither was I aware of the advent tradition with the smoking men! Your vintage ones must have many happy memories of Christmas's past!
ReplyDeleteDear Mary,
DeleteThe procession, of young and old, was always accompaniedby candle light...made it even more special.
I loved seeing this post Gina - the figures are really delightful, each with its own particular character.
ReplyDeleteI have a beautiful (Erzgebirge) Ore Mountains candle whirligig of the navity along with shepherds, kings and angels. We bought it many years ago from Germany at a Christmas market.
Dear Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteThe tradition of Christmas Markets is still going on in many parts of Europe. Some are over 600 years old. You have a very fine treasure and the memories that go with it are priceless.
Dear Mary,
ReplyDeleteEverything seems to work just fine but I will research a little more.