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abriella breathed in the cold, crisp air and pulled her
jacket tight around her. Christmastime in Germany was
cold and damp. Gabriella expected as much. After all, this was
the nation known for its trees, Advent wreaths, and outdoor
Christmas markets. The cold air just seemed to add to the
holiday spirit.
But Germany had much more variety than Gabriella first
thought. While the southern part of the country is dominated
by forested hills and the snow-covered Bavarian Alps,
northern Germany is flat and even marshy in some places.
While much of Germany’s scenery is breathtaking,
Gabriella was even more impressed with the country’s history.
German people and events have made an impact on nations
around the world. Some of these events — such as the uniting
of East and West Germany in 1990 — are recent. Others, such
as the beginning of the Protestant church, occurred hundreds
of years ago but still influence people today. Gabriella couldn’t
wait to celebrate Christmas here — and learn as much as she
could about this fascinating country and its people.
THE COUNTRY
See “Christmas in Germany” to
learn about some German Christmas
traditions and activities.
* Germany’s land area is 137,847 square miles, which is slightly
smaller than Montana.
* The North Sea and Baltic Sea border Germany in the north and keep the
region cool and damp. Hamburg, the nation’s second-largest city, is an important
shipping center in this area.
* The Black Forest of southwest Germany is famous for the wooden cuckoo clocks
that are produced there.
* After World War II, Germany was divided. West Germany had a democratic form
of government, while East Germany was under communist control. A wall built
in the center of Berlin prevented travel from east to west. In 1989, restrictions eased and the wall was torn down. Official reunification of East
and West Germany took place October 3, 1990.
* Germany’s flag consists of three horizontal stripes
in black, red, and gold.
THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD IN GERMANY
The Assemblies of God works in cooperation with a group of Pentecostal fellowships in Germany.
Missionaries are working to reach people with the gospel by planting churches, preparing literature, and
witnessing to students on university campuses.
In Germany today, people often are uncomfortable discussing spiritual matters. Many are skeptical of
religion or don’t feel it is important to believe in God. Pray that people will open their hearts to Jesus. Pray also
that missionaries will find ways to share the gospel effectively with others.
DID YOU KNOW?
* The first kindergarten was started in 1840 in Blankenburg, Germany. Kindergarten
means “garden of children.”
* The automobile industry is important to the nation’s economy. Germany is home to
Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Porsche, and Volkswagen (which means “the people’s
car”).
* A superhighway system, called the Autobahn, links most of Germany’s largest
cities. Parts of the Autobahn have no speed limit.
* Dr. Felix Hoffman, a German scientist, invented the aspirin.
* Construction of the Cologne Cathedral was started in 1248 and finished in 1880.
* In 2002, Germany became the first European nation to change its currency
completely to the Euro. Prior to that time, its currency was the Deutschmark.
THE PEOPLE
* Germany’s population is 82,431,390 — about twice the combined populations of
California and Washington.
* Most of the population is from German ancestry. However, a growing number of people
from other countries are moving to Germany to find work.
* German is the predominant language, although the spoken form varies a bit between
northern and southern Germany.
* Berlin is Germany’s capital and largest city.
* Children are required to attend school from ages 6 to 14. Students have several options
for high school, depending on their plans for future employment.
* Music is important in German culture. Most students learn to play a musical instrument.
* Many German and American foods are similar. The American hamburger was named
after the city of Hamburg, Germany.
* Germany’s population is about evenly divided between Catholics and Protestants (about
34 percent each), although most of both groups do not practice their faith. An estimated
4 percent follow Islam. Most of the remaining 28 percent follow no religion.
Germany’s Influence on the World
Several Germans have made a positive difference in the world. Here are a few of them.
* Martin Luther (1483-1546), a Catholic priest, questioned some of the church’s teachings. He
believed that the Bible, not a priest, is the source of truth and that people receive forgiveness
from sin through faith in Christ, not through good deeds. A new group called Protestants
emerged, named after Luther’s “protests.” This period of time is known as the Reformation.
* Johannes Gutenberg invented movable type for a printing press in the mid-1400s. In the past,
books were copied by hand or carved into wood. With Gutenberg’s invention, books could be
produced at a price people could pay. The Bible was the first book printed on Gutenberg’s press.
* Germany is the birthplace of Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven — two famous
classical composers — and of Albert Einstein, considered as one of the greatest scientists of all
time.
* Two brothers, Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm, worked together to write many well-known children’s
stories such as “Cinderella,” “Snow White,” “Sleeping Beauty” and “Hansel and Gretel.”