In Germany, when someone is lucky, it is customary to say "Ich Habe Schwein Gehabt" which means "I have had pig."
This tradition dates back to hard times, when if you had a pig to feed your family, you were considered fortunate.
We got these pigs from the bakery. They were super soft and a bit sweet. YUMMY!
I am giving everyone a history lesson here.....The Greek word "Epiphanias" means "uprise, appearance", i.e. appearance of the Lord which was celebrated in the early Christian centuries on January 6. In the 4th century this holiday was shifted to December 25, and January 6 obtained the name of The Three Kings (the "Wise Men," the Magi), or simply Twelfth Day. According to an old legend based on a Bible story, these three kings saw, on the night when Christ was born, a bright star, followed it to Bethlehem and found there the Christchild and presented it with gold, frankincense and myrrh.
To this day, the doorways would be sprinkled with holy water and the initials of the Three Kings -- C+M+B (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar) -- plus the year are inscribed in chalk over doorways in German-speaking countries on the eve of January 6 to protect house and home. (Although historically the three letters are supposed to come from the Latin phrase for "Christ bless this house" -- "Christus mansionem benedicat" -- few of the people practicing this custom are aware of this fact. In many parts of Europe, including Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, the Christmas celebration does not end until this date, now considered the arrival of the three "kings of the orient" in Bethlehem -- and the end of the "twelve days of Christmas" between Christmas and January 6.
So, these are the village Children on 3 kings day blessing our home~
Couldn't forget a picture of my new clock..I love it!
We made pizza's while Nana and Papa were still here. We had a lot of fun!
Creative Lauryn's pizza
Downtown Kaiserslautern sets up a skating tent each year from the end of November until the end of January. We decided to try it out this year. It's not nearly as nice as the skating rinks in the states but it was still fun. We loved the penquin to push around. It helped the little ones keep balance. Brilee is a pro at skating, she has excellent balance.
There you have it, a glimpse into what we've been up to!
10 comments:
The pizzas look interesting to say the least, but still tasty!
Ya!!! It's about darn time!!!! Good to see your alive and all!! Ha Ha I'm lovin the firework show too...Does everyone still have all their fingers?? Love to all Dawn
Thanks for the history lesson!! Very interesting:) Love the fireworks too!! Ya think we could get away with a show like that here in Phoenix?! :)
Darn, I love that clock too! I've been on the hunt for about 6 months now for a kitchen clock, she is out there somewhere calling my name but I just can't seem to hear her yet. Hopefully soon . . .
We saw some COOL kitchen clocks in Paris. Jen Hammond actually got one super awesome one. It's an iron pan turned into a clock. Cute for a kitchen!
That Sure Was Fun Ice Skating With Nana and Papa. I Need to know how to Ice Skate.
Traci, it's good to hear from you. We actually moved to Northern Arizona in the White Mountains and Dayson got a job with the sheriff's department. He is going to be a deputy. I'm glad I came across your blog so that I can see Jessica Musil's blog. How is everything in Germany? Your family is growing up.
Loved the photos--I appreciate any thing that reminds me of Germany! In Hohenecken there were only three children dressed up on Three Kings Day. I always find it ironic that an atheistic country such as Germany is now has so many religious traditions.
I didn't even know all that cultural info--thanks for the history! Those are fun pizzas! Did you get a kids cooking book?
Nice Blog Traci... I am finally into this blog stuff but not that good at it... Julie helps me alot. I just have to remember to post at least once a month. Kids are really growing, and was nice to see grama & grampa(Nana & Papa)too. Check mine out when you get a chance.
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