ime for the Germans to remember Christ. People in southern Germany present historical plays that dramatize Jesus' last days on earth, instead of having Easter egg hunts (31). Christmas is also a time for the Germans to remember and celebrate Jesus Christ. This is a private holiday, much like in America, for family and friends to enjoy together. Germans even have a type of Santa Claus for their children. In the Roman Catholic section of Germany, which is found in the southern region, the Christ child sends gifts on Christmas Eve ("Christmas" 531). The Northern Protestant part of Germany says Weihnachtsmann (Christmas man) brings the gifts (531). Saint Nicholas visits children's homes on St. Nicholas Eve, and delivers candy and other sweets to be opened on St. Nicholas Day (531). These stories concerning Christmas may differ, yet the meaning and specialty of Christmas is the same throughout the region. Most all Germans decorate a Christmas tree (they were the first ever to decorate a tree), which is a tradition that continues to this day in nearly every country (Loewen 15). Special foods are also cooked to eat on Christmas (15). Carp is usually served as a traditional holiday meal, yet the fish is not scaled (15). This is due to the fact that at the meal, everyone picks off a scale for good luck in the upcoming year (15). These holidays are much like the ones across the country, yet Germans add a twist to theirs to make them special.Besides these holidays, Germany also has some festivals that are celebrated yearly. One of these festivals, Oktoberfest, is one of the most popular holidays in the world. Oktoberfest is a lively festival held in Munich Germany each autumn ("Germany" 151). The first Oktoberfest was actually a part of a marriage celebration for Prince Ludwig to his fiance the Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen (Reichmann 1). This marriage, which was turned into a huge wedding, took place in October of 1...
