254: Christmas in Austria

Christmas is celebrated in Austria, like other Christian countries around the world. There may be some differences in its customs. The following summary information may be of interest to newcomers to Austria.

Idioms and phrases related to Christmas:

• Christmas:
  • Birth (nativity) of Jesus Christ (Christian prophet), 25 December.
    • Gregorian calendar (25 December)
    • Julian calendar (25 December): 7 January in the Gregorian calendar
  • A celebration (feast) to commemorate and honour the Jesus Christ.
  • Christmas Day is a public holiday in Austria
  • Symbol: A decorated pine tree (evergreen) with lights andornaments
• Christmas Eve (evening):
  • Evening or whole day before Christmas
• Advent (arrival):
  • Arrival means the birth of Christ
• Advent season (Latin church):
  • Period of 22 to 28 days before Christmas (It must include four Sundays)
• Christmastide (Weihnachtszeit)
  • The last 12 days before Christmas
• Christ child (Christkind)
  • Christ child, brings gifts to children. (Viennese custom)

Christmas traditions:

• Christmas decorations
  • Trees
  • Lights
  • Nativity scenes
• Visiting family and friends
• Baking cookie and sweets
• Christmas music and carols
• Advent wreaths (Adventskränze):
  • 4 candles
  • Every Sunday (from 4 Sundays of advent season) one candle is lit.
• Completing an Advent calendars (Adventskalender)
  • Count down the advent season
  • Usually starts on the first day of December (not the first day of Advent season)!
• Santa clause (Saint Nicholas)
  • He brings gifts to children.
• Krampus
• Advent markets
• Giving Gift or Xmas cards
• Special meal