The beginning of Christmas in Austria is marked
by the feast of St Nicholas on 6th of December. It is believed that
St Nicholas called as "Heiliger Nikolaus" is a saint who,
along with a devil, visits children during Christmas celebrations in
Austria to inquire about their year's good and bad deeds. Good
children are given apples, nuts, sweets and toys. But if a child
confesses any misbehavior, the devil called as "Knect Rupercht"
tries to strike the child with a stick. However, Santaklausen sends
the child running before any harm happens to the child.
Christmas Eve in Austria is a family affair, when Christmas tree is
decorated by parents. Gifts under the Christmas tree are unwrapped
only after Christmas Eve dinner. Music instruments made of brass
play chorale music and people singing Christmas carols carry manger
and blazing torches from door to door to "show the Christ Child",
which is a common custom for Christmas in Austria. Baked carp is the
traditional Christmas dinner in Austria. The decorated Christmas
trees are lit only when the Christ Child comes and brings gifts for
the children. The arrival of the Holy Child is announced by tinkling
bells. He is welcomed into the Christmas tree decorated with
ornaments, candles and candies. When the Christ Child arrives, the
Christmas tree is lit and the entire family sings Christmas carols
and greets each other.
One of the most famous Christmas carols in Austria is the "Silent
Night" which was first sung on Christmas Eve in 1818 in the
village church of Oberndorf. 180 years ago, on a Christmas Eve, the
priest of St. Nicholas Church found that organ was not functioning
properly and its leather bellows were full of holes. Since Christmas
was considered to be dull without music, the priest consulted
organist Franz Bauer and showed him the lyrics of a new Christmas
hymn that he had written. Franz quickly composed a tune for the hymn
that could be easily played on the guitar. This was the birth of the
famous Christmas carol "Silent Night" which received a lot
of appreciation from the villagers.
Both 25th December and 26th December are legal holidays in Austria.
The festival of Christmas in Austria is a time for visiting family
and friends.
