So how do you celebrate Christmas in Germany?

For the first time, I didn't celebrate Christmas with my whole family. Not the most wonderful situation, but to make up for it, my brother and a friend [Katie] from home came to visit me in Bamberg. We ended up having one very special Christmas. Katie arrived on the 23rd and Zach got here on the morning of the 24th. We spent Christmas eve with the family of some of the teachers that I work with. We went up to their house, as did the French language assistant from Reunion [Afsana] and one of the Czech teachers [Elena] and her boy friend. The entire night was a crazy mix of German, English, French and Czech. Very interesting and unlike any other Christmas Eve I ever had before. When we got to the Steidels' house, we had the first part of their traditional night: fruit salad, bratwurst, and beer. Then we played/sang some traditional Christmas carols, followed by a little bit of improv on American Christmas carols by Zach on Katie's flute. Next we all played interlingual charades. Then it was time for the Bescherung [arrival of Christmas gifts, which are brought by the Christ child], so all of the "kids" went downstairs until we heard a bell ring. When we came back upstairs, the Steidels had lit the Christmas tree and there were present underneath the boughs. In Germany, it is still very common to use really candles and sparklers in the tree. This also means that the trees tend to be a little bit less full than the ones that we always have at home. Can't be setting the whole thing on fire now can we! Then there was a bit of present opening...more so on the Steidels part since it was their home, but they had a little something for everyone there. Soon it was dinner time. The whole meal was amazing. We started with a white asparagus soup. Then there was a venision (that had been shot by one of my fellow teachers earlier in December), red kraut, homemade spaetzle (a german noodle), sauce and so much goodness. There was also ice cream and cookies and special german Christmas cakes. Then we had to head to the Karmelitenkirche for the Christmas Eve mass. Katie and I played music along with Rainer Steidel and a bassonist [Johannes] for about 30 minutes before mass. It was a collection of traditional German Advent songs. Then there was the mass, and after the homily, I played a few movements from a Telemann trio with Rainer and Johannes. The mass ended around midnight and we headed back to my room. Back there we opened Christmas presents and called home for a bit. Then it was time for bed. The next day was the 1st Christmas Day; here in Germany there are 2 Christmas Days. We cooked a big brunch with William, who lives downstairs, and his parents & sister, who are also visiting. Then we hung around for the afternoon, before cooking a lasagna dinner with William's family. After dinner, Katie, Zach, William, Will's sister [Ali], Katie's friend [Marc] and I all went out to Caipi Keller, where some of my students' band was performing. Then Katie, Marc, Zach & I went out to Vamos for a night of Christmas clubbing. lots of fun. On the second Christmas Day, we went to the apartment of Carmen Rascher, who I teach with. She is loads of fun and we all had cookies and Gluehwein. Then we watched a short British film, called "Dinner for One," which is a Christmas/New Year's tradition here in Germany. After that we went out to Blues Bar and listened to some live guitar music. All in all, I have to say that despite not being able to be home, I had a most wonderful Christmas.