Halloween Decorations

Posted on October 31, 2022 by vanbraman

Tonight I went out for a walk to look at the neighborhood Halloween decorations.

Long ago we only saw lights and yard displays for Christmas. However, today we see displays for more and more holidays. This year there were not as many decorations as two years ago. Perhaps people had more time during the pandemic so spent it decorating.

The decorations here are from two years ago.

halloween decorations, holiday lights, ghostsIn this yard there were quite a few decorations. Some are subtle like the eyes in the window. It is also interesting that there are jack-o-lanterns, but only fake ones.

holloween decorations, halloween lights, batsHere a light machine was projecting bats on the wall of a house. Of course bats are usually black, but then they would be hard to see.

Have you noticed that there are not as many bats in Halloween advertisements and candy packaging now? Bats have a bit of a bad name now because of the viruses coming from bats.

Halloween, skeleton display, skeleton windowI really like this skeleton in a window that is lit up with an orange light.

halloween displayLook at the size of this Halloween Pumpkin man.

halloween display, grave stones, orange, lightsHere we have a spooky graveyard, but what I really like is the orange hues in the picture.

Archaeologist, Halloween Costume, TrowelWe did have a lot of people dressed up at work today. I even dressed up, but repeated one of my old costumes. Can I really call it a costume? When I go on an archaeological dig this is simply work clothes.

Steven

Posted in Culture, Local | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Reformation Day and All Saint’s Day

Posted on October 30, 2022 by vanbraman

This week in Germany there are two religious holidays.

The first holiday is on Monday. Reformationstag or Reformation Day is observed in the Protestant areas of Germany.

The second holiday is on Tuesday. Allerheiligen or All Saint’s Day is observed in the Catholic areas of Germany.

St. John's Church, Jena, Germany, Catholic Church BuildingJena, Germany, where I visit the most when I go to Germany, is in an area that celebrates both holidays.

I will start with Allerheiligen (All Saint’s Day). This holiday is for remembering and praying for church members or family who have passed away. Similar to Memorial Day they decorate the graves of the ones they are remembering. It is also a time for families to come together for meals and fellowship.

The picture above is of St. John’s Church where the Catholics of Jena worship.

Castle Church Wittenberg, Martin Luther, 95 theses, church doors, Mighty FortressReformationstag (Reformation Day) commemorates October 31, 1517 when Martin Luther posted his 95 Thesis to the doors of the Castle Church in Wittenberg.

St. Michael Church, Jena, Germany, Martin LutherJena also has connections to Martin Luther as he preached at St. Michael which is the Stadtkirche or City Church.

Luther Original Grave Plate, St. Michael, Jena, Germany, Martin LutherInside the church building is what was to have been the grave plate for Martin Luther. There is an interesting story as to how it ended up in Jena. See: Luther’s Original Grave Plate

Martin Luther Grave, Grave Plate, Wittenberg, Germany, Castle ChurchMartin Luther is buried in the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. On the wall you can see a copy of the grave plate that is in Jena. The actual grave marker for Martin Luther is on the sandstone plinth and he is buried directly beneath it.

Martin Luther Grave, Castle Church, Wittenberg, GermanyHere is a close up of the grave plate.

You can read more about the grave of Martin Luther in my post Martin Luther’s Grave.

You can also find links to some of the other Reformation Day posts I have written through the past years at Reformation Day Posts.

Steven

Posted in Culture, Germany, History | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment