Christmas A family celebration everywhere in Luxembourg
In Luxembourg, Christmas customs are as diverse as the communities that live here Traditionally, celebrations are held with family and friends. As a festival of Christian origin, religious events are also present: for example, the midnight mass on 24 December. The dinners and meals are generous, and of course there is no lack of presents, which are brought by the Chrëschtkëndchen.
A religious festival
In Luxembourg, the majority of the population are Catholic. To celebrate Christmas, practising Christians attend mass — either midnight mass (Metten) on 24 December, or Christmas mass on 25 December. A particularly beautiful midnight mass is celebrated every year at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Luxembourg.
In many villages, the Krëppespiller (nativity plays), performed by children of the parish, are one of the highlights of the season. They usually take place in the churches and are attended by large crowds.
While there are certain Luxembourgish traditions and customs, the many foreign communities in Luxembourg have also introduced their own customs to the country.
A family celebration
But Christmas is above all a family celebration, characterised especially by family get-togethers where people share a hearty meal.
Traditionally, after the end of the midnight mass, many Luxembourgers used to eat Träipen (black pudding) with mashed potatoes and apple sauce. Nowadays, meals are often a little less locally typical: turkey, fondue, seafood, Yule log, Stollen, etc.
However, many typical Luxembourgish dishes are also consumed around Christmas time, such as Gromperekichelcher (potato fritters), Boxemännercher (a brioche in the shape of a man), Glühwäin (mulled wine) and Egg Nogg (a drink made of sweetened milk, cream, vanilla and rum).
Family members give each other presents for Christmas. Children are often told that the Chrëschtkëndchen (baby Jesus) brought these gifts. In some families, presents are opened on Christmas Eve, while in others they are opened on Christmas Day (25 December). The presents are placed under the Christmas Tree, which can be found in the majority of Luxembourgish households.
Advent and preparation for Christmas
Numerous Christmas markets, processions, cribs, illuminated streets, decorated shops, concerts and other events create a magical festive atmosphere throughout the country. Luxembourg City, for example, creates a winter festival atmosphere with its Winterlights festival, providing a unifying theme for a whole series of advent festivities: a Christmas Parade, Christmas markets, public concerts, exhibitions and a variety of other events.
In the weeks preceding Christmas, Christmas events are held in nurseries, fundamental schools, homes for the elderly, sports clubs, etc. Christmas concerts take place in churches, schools and on the Christmas markets adding to the festive pre-Christmas flair that many people enjoy.
In fundamental schools and children's choirs, children spend weeks learning Christmas carols. At home, children particularly enjoy the preparation of Christmas biscuits and decorations are put up according to each family's tradition.
Many Christmas trees are decorated as long as two or three weeks before Christmas. They will later be used as firewood at the Buergbrennen, a celebration centred around a huge bonfire.
On the first Sunday of advent, the first candle on the family Adventskranz (advent wreath) is lit. The majority of households create or buy advent wreaths made of fir branches, pine, holly or sometimes mistletoe, adorned with four candles. Each Sunday of advent, an additional candle is lit.
Children pass the time until Christmas by opening another window on their Advent calendars each day from 1 to 24 December. Originally, these calendars contained religious images, but these have now been replaced by biscuits, chocolates or small toys. And are far from limited to children.
And when this atmosphere is enhanced by a snow-covered landscape, Luxembourgers can enjoy a perfect Christmas.
Public holidays and school holidays
Christmas is one of the most important holidays for many Luxembourgers. Chrëschtdag (Christmas Day) on 25 December and Stiefesdag (Boxing Day) on 26 December are legal holidays.
Most shops, banks and businesses close on the afternoon of 24 December and remain closed on 25 and 26 December. Children in fundamental and secondary education, for their part, enjoy 2 weeks of school holidays.
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