Christmas in Austria is such a magical time. The snow has started to fall and cover the country in a blanket of white. The Christmas markets are bustling with happy people sharing a joke and a gluwein.

The decoration that are for sale are not those of the plastic types from the far east! Most are hand made in Austria by local craftsmen. In fact everyone should try a Christmas in Austria at least once in their lives.

For children the magic is everywhere, from the little Santa Claus’s that can been seen climbing on the outside of shops to the decorated Christmas trees at every corner of the local villages. For Austrian children, Christmas is celebrated on 24th December! Not as we celebrate on the 25th December!

The most famous Christmas carol of all time ‘Silent Night’ was written as a poem in 1816 by an Austrian priest called Joseph Mohr. The story behind this is magica itself. The St Nicholas chruch organ at Oberndorf had broken a few days before Christmas, so the priest after considering the options decided to give the poem of Silent Night (Stille Nacht) to his friend Franz Xavier Gruber and the melody for Silent Night was composed and it was composed on a guitar!!

Of course most carols are written for Organ/Piano, so he had to write a song for guitar. He went and sat on the hillside not far from his church and whether by luck or divine intervention, he penned the music to this most famous carol. Stille Nacht or as we know it in English....Silent Night.

Silent Night

The words to the carol are so well known, well at least the first verse is! We have put here all the verses.

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born
Christ, the Saviour is born

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth"

Advent Weekends at Wolfgangsee, Salzkammergut www.wolgangseer-advent.at

There are special 1-3 night hotel breaks available.

Opening weekend – 21 – 23rd November.

1st Advent Weekend 27 - 30th November.

2nd Advent Weekend  4 - 8th December.

3rd Advent Weekend 11 - 14th December.

4th Advent Weekend 18 - 21st December.

Open again after Xmas 26 – 31st December for you to enjoy should you not be able to visit before Christmas.

Here are some links for you to find out more about the different areas of Austria and their own way of
celebrating Christmas.

Advent and  Christmas in Tirol.

Advent and Christmas in various villages.

Advent Salzkammergut & Lakes.

Treat yourself and
the children to a pre-Xmas break.
Special self catering offers for December
3 nights from only £120 - sleeps 2 -4 people
7 nights from only £245 - sleeps 2 -4 people

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Check out the cheapest flights to Austria from all of the UK’s airports.
No time to take the children for an Austrian Christmas this year? Then send a Santa letter to them.
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