Christmas Traditions In Germany And Nigeria

Christmas is here again! My favourite part of the holiday is Christmas Festival. Christmas to me is a celebration, which includes spending time with my family, and shopping, for the people I love. 

I learned that Christmas is better celebrated with snow, as the snow signifies the cold season as it been described in the scripture that Jesus Christ was born during the cold season. I remember someone once asked me, how do we celebrate Christimas in Africa without the snow or cold winter, and my response was I didn't know that Christmas has something to do with snow. However, I have never see snow in Africa. While kids in Europe or America  play snowmen, Africa children play with sand.  My questioner said yes, because snow and Christmas often go together, and she can not image how Africa celebrate Christmas, that often she like it more to see snow on Christmas Day. 

Also, I get to know that there are more Christmas traditions in Europe or Germany than in Africa or Nigeria. For example, in Nigeria the people do not observe the four advent sundays, there is no St. Nicholars's Day, there are no Christmas market as it is here. And Santa Claus is called Father Christmas in Nigeria. The Father Christmas is often seen at trade centers or schools sitting somewhere and children go to him to get some gifts. 

Another thing that is different between Christmas celebration in Nigeria and in Germany is the food; in Nigeria the special food on Christmas day is Rice and Chicken stew with salad or with some special traditional food such as, pounded yam and egusi soup. Pounded yam is similar to the German Kartoffeln Püree. And egusi soup made with grounded melon seed, and cook with cow meat and Pepper. 

People celebrate christmas differently, for instance in Nigeria, some family celebrate Christmas by going to church, cooking big pot of rice and chicken stew to entertain their neighbours, and visitors on that day, and poor beggers on the street. In some part of Nigeria some children go from house-to-house to get candy, food and little gift inform of cash from their friends and family. This brings joy to the children and it really fun for them. 

Also, in Nigeria people celebrate Christmas with a lot of firecrackers/fireworks they throw firecrackers at every conner of the streets and it often loud. Sometime people have to call on police to stop them, as some criminals also use this as opportunity to steal.I don't really like the firecrackers as I was hurt once when someone threw that on me. Unlike in Germany where fireworks is only allow on the 31st of every December, in Nigeria the people start fireworks/firecrackers from November till January and it is very loud and crazy. Speaking with Ademola Tistus about the Christmas festival in Nigeria this year, he said that the Christmas this year is different that is just quite, as the recession is real affecting them. There is no money to eat, drink and therefore most people has no money to buy firecrackers to throw but maybe they will throw some on Christmas Day and the new year eve. 

In Nigeria many families usually throw a big parties that will last all night, especially in Lagos Island where the people like fun.
Nigeria do not celebrate Christmas or exchange gift on the 24th but Nigeria celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December and gifts and every other thing is been done on this day. And the 26th of December is known as the boxing day; on 26th people usually party and hang out with friends, the beach resort is usually full at this time of year the including the cinamas in Nigeria. 

In Nigeria what I really like is the Christmas Carol in church, drama or movies to reflect the birth of Jesus Christ, because Christmas is said to be the birth's of Jesus Christ and as we all know that the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Make up the foundation of christianity. Although, the bible did not record the extact date of Jesus birth, but all over the world Christmas is been celebrate on 25th of December this is the day Jesus is claimed to be born.

However, Christmas celebration in Germany is absolutly different from Christmas in Nigeria. One of the big part of Christmas celebrations in Germany is Advent. Such as, the Advent calendars, Advent candles. The Advent candles is a ring of fir branches that has four candles on it. One candle is lit at the beginning of each week of the Advent. The Advent is observe in four sundays before Christmas. Also the Christmas Markets is well known in Germany here all sort of Christmas foods and decorations are been sold.

There is also what is called Christ Child- the Christ child has nothing to do with baby Jesus. The Christ child is often described as a young girl with Christ like character. This tradition often takes place in Nümberg where a young girl is chosen every year to participate in a parade wearing white and gold dress with a crown. She carry out a lot of duties on this day such as, offically opens the Christmas market on Friday before Advent starts. She visit the hospitals, the old people's homes, grant TV interviews and visit other places.

The St. Nicholas's Day is between 5th-6th December, Nicholas
comes in the night and give children sweets. Another Christmas tradition in Germany is the star singers. They go from house to house singing a song and collect money for charity purpose. 
This is mainly done by catholic- four children, three who dress up like the Wise men and one carries a star on a stick as a symbol for the Star of Bethlehem. After which they finished singing, they write a sign with a chalk over the door of the house. The sign is written in a special way, for example 2017 would be: 20*C*M*B*17. 

Unlike in Nigeria where rice and chicken stew is the main Christmas meal, in Germany goose are often served for the main Christmas big dinner on the 25th or 26th. I have also learned in Germany, that spending Christmas with our family is very important. We usually gather on 24th night, which is known as the holy evening in my mother-in-law house for the exchange of gifts and the 26th is the Christmas family dinner.

Decorating for Christmas is so much fun for me in Germany; I decorate the inside with the Christmas tree and lighting. Although, they are real Christmas tree in Germany but we always use the artificial tree. Personally I enjoy shopping, as it makes me happy. I love going to the mall, all the mall and stores are so beautifully decorated in Germany. Also I go to different towns and cities to visit a Christmas Market every year. However, my favourite Christmas traditions is the Advent period.

I was invited to a Christmas party this year by the Buschmänn NGO in Adamslust Frankenthal, to talk on difference between "Christmas in Nigeria and Christmas in Germany," it was a nice time to shared my experience with the people because I have celebrated four Christmas in Germany and I can boldly say there is a lot of different. I really do I enjoy each Christmas in Germany because it is a Quiet Time. This is a time to reflect on our Lord Jesus Christ and to talk more about him, not time for crazy fun. My thought! 

These are some of the German Christmas tradition that I have learned over the years I have lived here. Happy Christmas Nigeria! And frohe Weihnachten Deutschland!

K-Town shopping Mall. 

Ludwigshafen City Hall Shopping Center. 

Mannheim Christmas Market 

                                                 

Mannheim Train Station 

Sally Rausch Real Christmas Tree 

Mannheim Christmas Market 

Green Town City Christmas Tree 

Mannheim Fashion House Christmas Decoration 

Namibia Get Help From Germany

Africa has been described as a wealthy continent with many living in adject poverty and sickness. It is no doubt that Namibia is one of the wealthiest countries in Africa, but still around half population lives below poverty line.

Namibia GDP per capita is 8,200 dollar- The economy is mainly minerals, and Namibia is one of the richest places in Africa for strategic minerals. Namibia is one of the highest producers of diamonds in the world.

In the year 1884, Namibia was a German colony, as the Germans took over the South-West Africa
during the colonial era. The country got her independence on 21 March 1990, but it organs do not function as an independent nation as many of her citizens are begging for international aid.

Germans has been supporting the country since its independence, there is a new government negotiations between Namibia and Germany, the German Government through its implementing agency Deutsche Gesellschaft Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH... This is will commence in 2017.

However, they are other organisations (NGOs) in Germany that have been supporting poor children in Namibia, one of such organisation (Buschmänner e.V) founded by Carlo 'von' Opel who along side with his team has been doing an amazingly good job in supporting the children in the undeveloped area in Namibia. Such as; donating bus, toys, teaching the kids farming system, and providing
musical instruments for talented young artist on the street, with the help of Jack Francis, the children
are learning how to play various musical instrument during church service and other event.

From left: Carlo von Opel, Queendaline Schneider at the Buschmänn e.V Christmas party yesterday at Weinstube Adamslust Frankenthal Germany. 

 I was overwhelmed with work Carlo and his team are doing in Namibia: Is it surprising that in such a world full of greedy leaders or governance who are only thinking highly of themselve, we still have people like Carlo who sacrifice his 75 birthday ceremony on 16th May, 2016 to meet the need of the street children in Namibia.

In a world that was empty, God created the earth: The earth provides everything every man's needs to survive no matter where we are born but the greed of corrupt leaders in Africa has brought shame on us  Or Isn't A Shame- that there are no any countries in Africa continent that is developed. Tell me how is it that the country, that is one the world highest quality producers of diamonds and its citizens are still living below poverty line.

Africa does not really need foreign aid, but Africa need leaders with selfless love and total commitment.

Nigeria Actress, Ini Edo Reveals How She Escaped Church Building Collapse in Uyo

Nollywood Actress, Ini Edo, has shared her testimony; how she escaped the collapse of the Reigners Bible Church building in Uyo on Sunday.

The church building collapsed during an ordination service for Bishop Akan Weeks, but unfortunately leading to the death of over 100 people and leaving many injured.

According to Ini Edo, says she could have been among the victims on Sunday, but she was held up in traffic from Calabar to Uyo for 7 hours, on her way to the church venue.

Read what she wrote on her social media page after the cut...

" 2 days ago, I was very bitter about the unreliable nature of some of our airlines cancelling flights without prior notice thereby hindering my plans to attend a church service ceremony held in Uyo. Now out of determination, I took a flight to Calabar with the hope of being in Uyo just in time for the service since the journey between Calabar and Uyo was just about an hour. The journey ended up taking over 7hours because of an unexplainable traffic. No accident, good road no hitches just a headlock traffic. Whilst in the car, I started wondering why all my efforts to be at the service was being thwarted... then I got a call, that the entire church building had collapsed during the course of the service... Once again, God had saved me... My heart goes out to the families of the departed... May the good Lord grant them the heart to bear the loss. Everyday we see a blessing... It's not because we are special or better... It's the exceeding grace of our Lord Jesus. I am so humbled and grateful to God for preserving me... Happy thanksgiving"-

Thanking God for the life of our dear Nollywood actress, Ini Edo may the almighty God continue to keep and preserve you in Jesus name.

Donald Trump's Grandparents German Hometown- Kallstadt

This is the house where, Donald Trump's grandfather was born in Kallstadt Germany. Despite his roots, Trump and "racism" Trump is also a descendant of immigrates; his forefathers left Kallstadt for economic reasons, in search of a better life. It is a known fact, that all the white people living in America today are all immigrates from Europe, just like the Africa America are immigrates from Africa. I hope Trump will have a rethink in its policy of allowing all people to live and work in America without any problem.

Trump's grandfather, Friedrich Trump was born on March 14, 1869 and he left for the US in 1885, joining his sister in New York. He later changed his name to Frederick and came back to Kallstadt, and married his neighbor's daughter Elisabeth Christ, before going back to New York with his wife.

According to Mr Uli, a native of Kallstadt, he said that the couple returned to Germany because
Elisabeth was homesick, but was banished in 1905 because Trump's grandfather failed to carry-out his military service.

However, Donald Trump is really proud of his German heritage- he says nice words about his grandparent's hometown in a 2014 documentary.

"The people in Kallstadt are very reliable, strong people and I feel that about myself- I'm strong and I'm very reliable. I'm on time, I get things done," he said.

It was also said that Kallstadt was a hometown and birth place of Johann Heinrich Heiz and he got baptized in the Kallstadt kirche (Kallstadt church), whose American-born son, Henry John Heinz, founded the Heinz ketchup company.

See more photos after the cut...

It was said that this is also Elisabeth Trump's house in Kallstadt

Kallstadt church, where Johann Heinrich Heinz was baptized. 

Photo Credit: Queendaline Schneider. 

The Feast of Saint Martin

Why are they more christian holidays in Germany or Europe than in Africa (Nigeria)?

Today is Saint Martin's Day in Germany; what does Saint Martin's day means or who is Saint Martin? Saint Martin was a Roman soldier, who later was baptized as an adult and became a monk, and he became the bishop of tours respectively. Who later became a legend, and the feast of Saint Martin is often celebrated on 11 of November every year. This holiday is said to have been originated in France, then spread to England, Germany, and the Eastern part of Europe. It was an important medieval autumn feast, and the custom of eating goose rapidly spread to Sweden from France and other part of the world. 

Saint Martin of tours, was a kind man, who lived a quite and simple lifestyle. He love helping the poor, he live for the poor people. He was a man full of compassion for the less privileged. Once upon a time, Martin was traveling on a cold, winter night on his horse when he saw a freezing beggar on his way. Martin immediately had compassion for the beggar, and cut his coat (cloak) in half and shared with the poor beggar,  in order to save the poor beggar from dying from the snow cold. 

Saint Martin claimed that he dreamed that same night, that Jesus was wearing the half coat he gave to the beggar. Martin said that he heard Jesus saying to the Angels, "Here is Martin, the Roman soldier who is not baptized; he clothed me". Wonderful insight, this reminds me of what the scripture says in Matthew 25:43-

However, St Martin was known as friend of the children and patron of the poor. No wonder the children often celebrate the night of November 11, in Germany for example with singing, and lantern parades to mark the St. Martin's Day in Germany; as they walk, they sing: "I am walking with my lantern and my lantern is walking with me", the children sing.

St. Martin's Day or Martinstag has become a tradition in some part of Germany, as the people enjoy the traditional Martin's goose dinner. (The goose is stuffed and served with red cabbage and dumplings). And children like baked Martin's geese made out of cookie or yeast dough..., or the traditional salty Martin pretzel. Most of this children, are kindergarten and elementary school children who have also craft their lanterns and rehearse songs for St. Martin parades. 

Although, St. Martin's day is said to be christian holiday,but most Africans countries do not know about this holiday and do not observe it as well. I did not know about the the holiday myself, I get to know more of it from my dear Gert-Uwe Schneider who ultimately narrated the story to me, and Gert said to me, I thought you are a christian? And you should know all the Christian's holidays. But the truth is that the only Christian's holidays that are popular in African or Nigeria is the Christmas's and Easter's holidays. I'm inspired by the legend of Saint Martin! 

However, Africans mighty not be celebrating or observing most Christian's holidays but Christianity is experiencing more rapid growth in Africa than anywhere else in the world, although Europe still has the largest Christian population, but Africa might takeover. For example, in Nigeria on every streets you see more than 5-10 different churches. And I want to believe this is so in most Africans countries, as African believe or claimed to have seen lives 
and miracle happening from just attending church services. On the other hand, practice among Germans is falling year by year, just few older people regularly attend church services, unlike in Nigeria where millions of people attend a single Sunday church service. 

I think Christianity should not be about only going go to church every Sunday or observing all the Christian feast. A good and real Christian should behave like the Saint Martin who lived a simple life and care for the the poor; and became the patron of charity for his good deeds this is what Christianity is all about. Even Jesus was a good example, the scripture says that Jesus was always move with compassion.

Donald Trump Elected 45th President of America

Too many anti-Trump talks and hates, although some Africa Americans or blacks might not like him because he speaks the mind of the majority of the white Americans. Donald Trump according to some white/africa Americans, would make America great again; unlike many leaders who during campaign feed the voters or the people with some good will promises stories, just to get their votes. He was very real, because he speaks his mind to the whole world and he is also quick to apologized for his past mistakes.

Despite the leak of the scandalous mails by wiki-leaks which is enough to tarnish Hillary Clinton, yet some people still want her to win the election, because they believe she is the one with the leadership experience, as she has been in the government for a long time. She's said to be calm, and of course
she is not a racist. However, if Hillary had won the election, some schools of thoughts perceived it to be the continuity of the Obama Socialist agenda, and it is obvious that most white Americans pray for change no doubt.

Donald Trump may not be good enough as the elected 45th president of United State of America, but the truth is that, let all of us embrace a world order of being ourselves because that is what freedom is all about. We should learn to speaks our mind at all time, either good or bad because that is what the spirit is saying at that time to us. It is better to says what's on our mind than telling some cheap lies just to save face.

Really, it's always amaze me, when some Nigerians always try to condemn or talk about foreign politics with little or no knowledge about this. Even when Nigeria politics is considered to be one of the worst in the world. This just reminds me of the last general election in Nigeria...

However, during my conversation yesterday with few friends and family, I knew Trump will be elected as the 45th president of USA because some of this people actually predicted that Trump is going to win the election.

Anyways, Donald Trump is said to have a good relationship with the President Putin of Russia, and since he has won the election; this will probably help to reduce the fear or threat of the Third World War, for the time being. I'm not surprise as Vladimir Putin becomes the first leader to congratulate Donald Trump as the new elected US President.

However, most Christians in America will not support Hillary Clinton as president, a woman who accepted that abortion is not a sin, however the rate of crime in America, and even the remover of the Ten Commandments status shows that God needs to intervene, in this election for the sake of the righteous in the land.

"For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth"- ROMANS 9:17 Do you get it? Don't forget America is God's own country; in God we trust, and God bless America.

Photo credit: Donald Trump's Facebook official page. 

African and Halloween

Should Nigeria adopt Halloween like they adopted Christmas and Valentine Day from the western world? 

Halloween started in Ireland as a Christian holiday, but later perceived as a pagan holiday for people to celebrate the dead or spirit of their ancestors. But today people started dressing in costumes to scare away evil spirit. 

Brief history of Halloween: according to Wikipedia, the word Halloween or hallowe'en dates to about 1745 and is of christian origin. The word "Hallowe'en means "hallowed evening" or "holy evening" It comes from a scottish term for All Hallows' day in scots, but today's Halloween festival are thought to have been influenced by folk customs and beliefs from the Celtic speaking countries, some of which are believe to have pagan roots... While some folklorists have detected its origins in the Roman feast of Pomona, the goddess of fruits and seeds, or in the festival of dead called... In Poland, believes some Christian church traditionally observed hallowe'en through a vigil, and fellow by a visit to the graveyard or cemetery, where flowers and candles are often placed in preparation for All Hallows' Day"

I believe Halloween or Hallows Eve is actually an annual holiday celebrated on the 31st of October in several western countries like; Germany, Canada, America, Australia, Ireland etc. Halloween is said to be ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. A Gaelic festival to mark the end of the harvest season and beginning of winter or the dark half of the year when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts. 
In some part of European countries or even America it is an holiday, where people dress up in costumes to scare away evil spirit. For example, in Germany children dress up in costumes and go from house to house to get sweet or candy. The children will often says "sweet or bitter?" Which implies the treat or trick on neighbors. 

I want to believe the world is now a global village, and there is nothing wrong with exchanging or sharing culture but some Africans believe the western culture will affect african culture and norms. There are still many Africans who do not believe in the Halloween celebration, especially among Christians, who believe that Halloween is nothing more than a witchcraft celebration because of some traditions that are involved. For example, the wearing of a scaring costumes, if you got a trinket etc. 

To cut the long story shot, some Africans (Nigerians), believe Halloween is America or European witchcraft festival or voodoo and do not really like the Halloween festival, even though there are similar festival in Nigeria such as; the Odo festival, the Oro festival, Iriji festival, and the Eyo festival in Lagos. However, the Odo festival which marks the return of the dead to those still living in some villages in eastern part of Nigeria (Igboland). 
Also, Eyo festival it is a festival usually held in Lagos to escort the soul of a departed Lagos king or chief and to usher in a new king. The Eyo masquerades are always dress up in a white costumes with their faces covered, and clad Eyo masquerades is said to represent the spirits of the dead, and their dance routines. Just like Halloween is believe to be associated with ghost or spirit so is Odo and Eyo festival is in Nigeria. 

Although, among the Nigerians the indigenous religions or festival have largely lost majority of their traditional followers to Christianity and Islam. Even though Christianity is also European or western religion; today the Africans (Nigerians) are taking it more serious than them, those who introduced it to them. Of course Christianity is a pure religion of love and peace if we do it in the right way. Like I often say, Christianity is not a religion, it is one faith or believe in Jesus Christ. 

In the past nobody no what is Halloween in Nigeria, it is just recently people started talking about Halloween in Nigeria. Also few years ago, I heard some young people celebrated Halloween in Nigeria but this was totally different from how it been celebrated in Germany. Some adult just organized Halloween costumes part in Lagos Island. Trust me, Nigerians or Africans would always want to copy everything from western world, even though they do not really know the origin of the Halloween. Some Africans still believe whatever come from the western world is good and African can copy or adopt it into their own culture but Halloween festival is not welcome in Nigeria, especially among fundamentalist Christians who see it as evil or satanic festival. 

Anyway, the difference is that the Americans or Europeans do not take Halloween serious or attach any spiritual meaning to it like some Africans have assumed. I want to believe Halloween is only a big business in the United State, big generating business revenue growth through such festival, just like Christmas. Keep buying costumes and candy, and have fun too! Happy Halloween Germany!
Another thought provoking from Queen's court desk!