While researching Christmas
traditions in Texas, I came across something I’d never heard of before: the
Christmas Pyramid. A common tradition in Germany, the weihnachtspyramide (Christmas pyramid) is a tiered wooden
tower adorned with nativity figures topped by a ring of candles. When lighted,
heat from the candles turns a windmill atop the tower which causes the figures
to rotate.
Fredericksburg,
Texas, boasts a 26-foot-tall Christmas pyramid. Imported from Germany, it’s
the only one of its kind in the U.S.
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| https://www.visitfredericksburgtx.com/2018/11/22/the-fredericksburg-german-christmas-pyramid/ |
Settling mainly in the hill country of Central
Texas, the influx of Germans
to Texas started in 1831, when Frederick Ernst acquired land in Austin County. The
largest immigration of Germans came in the 1840s when the Adelsverein (The
Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas) was organized in
Germany. It assisted thousands in coming to Texas and establishing settlements such
as New Braunfels and Fredericksburg.
German Christmas
Pyramids date back to the 16th century, and many believe they evolved into the
custom of a Christmas tree. Christmas pyramids have their roots in the
Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains), a silver mining region in eastern Germany. When the
mines began to close, woodworkers turned to making and selling wooden toys
including pyramids. Most were tabletop-size.
The pyramids captured
the attention of children and were used to teach them Bible stories. Figurines
depicting each part of a story were arranged in order on the tiers of the
pyramid. Christmas pyramids tell the Nativity story of Jesus’ birth and include
angels blowing trumpets, shepherds visiting the stable and magi bringing gifts.
Fredericksburg’s
Christmas pyramid was first displayed at Marktplatz, the town square, during the 2009
holiday season. It is illuminated each year on the Friday evening following
Thanksgiving, and remains lit through Epiphany, the first week of January.
The city’s German heritage
is also on display at the Pioneer Museum, featuring settlers’ homesteads and
artifacts.
Lyn Horner is
a multi-published, award-winning author of western historical romance and
romantic suspense novels, all spiced with paranormal elements. She is a former
fashion illustrator and art instructor who resides in Fort Worth, Texas –
“Where the West Begins” - with her husband and a pair of very spoiled cats. As
well as crafting passionate love stories, Lyn enjoys reading, gardening, genealogy,
visiting with family and friends, and cuddling her furry, four-legged children.
