The First Manger Scene (Krippenszene)

(Lk 2:11-12) "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. (12) This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Saint Francis of Assisi who first popularized the Christmas manger, the first nativity scene, as a way to make the Christmas season a time of peace and goodwill.

Wanting to see how Christ was born with his own eyes, in 1224, Saint Francis came up with the idea of creating a “living” recreation of the birth of Jesus, as a way to bring the Christmas spirit to the local villagers. It is believed that local shepherds, guarding their flocks outside the small Italian town of Greccio, inspired him. Saint Francis had real people dressed in biblical robes, and real animals positioned outside a cave on the outskirts of Greccio. In the manager was a life sized wax figure of the infant Jesus.

Saint Francis urged the people to rejoice in the season of Christ’s birth and put hatred from their hearts. Over time the presepio, as it was called in Italy, grew in popularity. Other towns began featuring them and soon people had individual nativity scenes in their own homes. Wealthy families hired famous sculptors to make their nativity scenes. One of the most famous nativity scenes in Italy is displayed at in the Basilica of Saint Cosmos & Damian in Rome. Originally built in Naples during the 17th Century, it measures an impressive 45 by 20 feet and features hundreds of wooden figurines.

Nativity Scenes around the World
Not surprisingly, the use of a Christmas nativity scene quickly spread throughout Western Europe. In France it was referred to as a Christmas Crèche, while in German speaking areas it was called a Kribbe. Despite the growing popularity of Christmas trees throughout the 19th and 20th Centuries, the nativity scene remained the central focus of Christmas celebrations in Catholic areas. As Catholicism grew world wide, so did the use of the Nativity scene. In Spanish speaking areas it is called a nacimiento and is a prominent part of Christmas traditions in Mexico and other parts of Latin America.
The First Christmas Carols
Along with his living nativity scene, Saint Francis sought the help of music to teach his congregation about the birth of Jesus Christ. According to Tristam Coffin in his book, The Book of Christmas Folklore, Saint Francis is credited with singing the very first Christmas carols, by adding religious lyrics to everyday tunes. The result was the Italian lauda, which was incredibly popular for the next two hundred years.

Can you believe it?

Streets are being transformed into a candy land dripping with gumdrops, liquorice, candy canes and jelly beans.

Strolling along Orchard Road yesterday many activities there reminded my that the most festive season of the year is just around the corner and 2008 is in its final stage.

I do understand that the Xmas lights on Orchard take some to set up to be ready for the official "light up" on November 15, but is it really necessary for shopping centres to being ready before the official start, already in 1st week of November ? I doubt it!

It seems to become earlier every single year. Are shops that desperate for business or are they just "Kiasu" (as we say here) a Hokkien adjective literally meaning, "afraid of losing" since everyone wants to be first to catch customers attention which will lead into sales.

Ngee Ann City Christmas Tree, already lit up up since last week.

Christmas market in Ngee Ann City.

I hope shops together with Singapore Tourism Board one day will think about the way decorating the city and shop windows, getting away from the boring "same old, same old" and have more artistic decorations instead, "unique" as the Singapore slogan to attract more tourists for Xmas shopping.

I saw a beautiful example from Paris, where the theme is "Nordic fairytale, a world of ice and magical Christmas lights"! Beautiful I must say, and obviously a big hit with tourists - and locals!

Christmas without snow? Not even in Singapore!

Kids and adults as well, all over the world are enjoying snow, especially when Xmas time is near. Covered mountains, trees and rooftops that makes it feel like Christmas. Unfortunately in warmer regions there's no such white stuff.

To make it up Tanglin Mall, a Singapore shopping centre, is causing man made "snow storm's every year during Xmas light up. And man that is popular. Kids and parents are queueing to catch the storm.

Now where else you're able to play with "snow" in shorts. In Singapore it's the cooler season from November to January, it's only around 27 Celsius, quite cool actually.

Brave young man fighting the elements.

After the snowstorm no need to worry for parents that kids are freezing or catching a cold, no need to sit around the fireplace to warm up their shaking bodies, just take a shower rinse of the snow (soap) and off you go for something really cold: Ice Cream.
Check out more photos:

The Perfect Storm

See the video:

Some more impressions from Orchard Road light up..........


.....and the Singapore Tourism Board Head Quarter

Christmas in the Tropics

The magical Christmas extravaganza is back and on untill 2 January 2008.

With a host of exciting events including festive performances, entertainment events, shopping specials, concerts and dance parties, as well as the popular brilliant display of lights at Orchard Road and Marina Bay. “Christmas in the Tropics" is a major tourism attraction for Singapore according to the Singapore Tourism Board. This Christmas spectacle comes with a variety of events from shopping to dining and entertainment.

A survey shows that one in five visitors last year have planned their trips to coincide with Singapore’s Christmas celebration and the Tourism Board is hoping that this year would not be any different.

With an amazing Christmas Light-up which by the way has always been the visitors favourite, Singapore wants to create the most memorable Christmas experience for them.

Themed “A Fairytale Christmas” this year it stretches over 3 km from Orchard Road (including Scotts Road), Tanglin Road to Plaza Singapura and the Marina Bay area from Hotel Rendezvous to Raffles Avenue. This area has been transformed into a bewitching Crystal Forest decked with magnificent chandeliers, magic harps, glittering jewels, dazzling lights in red, gold and white, and even a magical carousel. Dick Lee, Singapore's famous composer, who is the Creative Director for the second consecutive year, has conceptualized this fantasy land for the unfolding of a fairytale inspired by the Nutcracker Suite, which tells the story of handsome Prince Noel who goes in search of his missing true love, Princess Ballerina, through the Crystal Forest.
Apart from the Light-Up, another key highlight is the "Celebrate Christmas in Singapore" event, with the theme ‘Christmas – It’s All About Love’. Visitors can look forward to Christmas-themed performances nightly at various locations along Orchard Road as well as a colourful parade of floats from 15 to 24 December.
More information about all events can be found at the Singapore Tourism Board Website.

Since the light up people are storming the City Centre to see the lights and many of them have already started a serious Christmas shopping spree.

"Rudi" and colleagues galloping through Singapore's sky
Paragon Shopping Centre has always been a highlight with their beautiful deco

Paragon Starbucks "Santa's" are ready to round up the Xmas experience for Tourists and Locals
On the walkway in front of Takashimaya a group of "Red Indians" are playing their folks songs. Singapore a melting pot of cultures.
A 3 storey Xmas tree in the lobby of Takashimaya is one of the most photographed tress every year...............Teddy's Christmas Tree and clothes
..............Masses of shopper at Centre Point Shopping Centre.
................ And the Taxi queue
................A festive decoration where ever you go


........Last but not least Raffels City and famous Raffles Hotel
There would be so much more to cover about Singapore's Xmas spectacle but you need time for searching all the locations. For me it was a long nights walk to see all these nicely decorated places. Stop by at our Wuerstelstand Blog for updates and to see more click the picture below.

Christmas Light-up in Singapore

It's Christmas Time! At Least According to Shops

Ho, ho, ho, ho!
This is the sound many of us have been waiting for since 11 month, although for some it might have been to fast because another year went by way too quick .
Anyway we can't help it and from tonight on it is official. The lights are up: It's Xmas Time.
Well not everywhere yet. If you're wondering, Erich's stall (not in Bethlehem, but Chinatown) is not behind this year but he will only have the decoration up probably next Sunday, for him being a real Austrian this is the actual start of the Christmas season over there.
However his Christmas bakery - @ Backstube- is very busy already preparing hampers for the customers. You will find the order form online soon. So please come back and check out Erich's Xmas Promotions.