Christmas in Austria

In Austria, Christmas begins with the feast of St Nicholas or Heiliger Nikolaus on 6th of December, when the saint and the devil ask the children about their good and bad deeds. Good children get sweets, toys, apples and nuts. Gifts under the tree are opened only after the dinner on Christmas Eve. Brass musical instruments play chorale music while carol singers go from door to door carrying blazing torches and a manger. They father on the church steps later. The famous carol 'Silent Night' was first sung in 1818 in the village church of Oberndorf and there is an interesting folklore attached to it:

On Christmas Eve, the priest of the church found that organ was not working properly and its leather bellows were full of holes. Christmas without music would kill all the fun for the villagers. So, the priest consulted the organist Franz Bauer and showed him a new Christmas hymn that he had written. Franz was quick to compose a tune for the hymn that could be played on the guitar. This was how, the 'Silent Night' was conceived and villagers really appreciated it later.

Traditional Austrian Christmas dinner includes baked carp. is served for the traditional Christmas dinner. Christmas trees are put up on 24th of December and are lit only when the Christ child comes and brings presents for the children. Tinkling bells announce his arrival and he is greeted into the special tree where Christmas tree is kept with all the decorations using ornaments and candies and candles that are just lit and the entire family sings Christmas carols and wish each other.