But This is Christmas

My daughter’s class Christmas party included songs and talent displays and cookies and Gluhwein and punch. But you already know that. I told you about it yesterday.

After the songs, in which some of the children acted out a live nativity scene with Maria und Josef und das Christkind, we entered the classroom where candles were lit around an advent wreath and cookies presented so people could visit. The middle of the room is what caught my attention, though.

Twenty-four tea light candles formed a path to a felted nativity scene in which Baby Jesus and all the big players of Christmas Day sat quietly displayed. More than half the candles, lit, the glow and the greenery were beautiful.

I couldn’t take my eyes off of it. Couldn’t stop snapping pictures, either. I was intrigued and excited to be living in a place where it’s okay to say Jesus is the main point of Christmas. The reason for it, even.

Another mom stood close, admiring as I did. I spoke in my broken-German.

It’s beautiful, I said. She agreed. I snapped more photos, trying different angles. Then I told her that in the USA, we wouldn’t be allowed to put something like this in a classroom. Why? She asked. I used what words I knew to explain that too many people would be offended.

That’s when she looked at me and said, Aber das ist Weihnachten. But this is Christmas.

I like Germans.