As Advent begins, I find myself reflecting on the traditions that shaped my childhood and continue to inspire our community today.  

Christmas in Luxembourg is more than a season – it is a time when homes, schools and families come alive with light, music and generosity. Our cultural identity is historically rooted in the Catholic Church and many of our traditions and public holidays carry this heritage. Advent is not simply a time of waiting – it is a season of preparation, filled with joy, togetherness and hope. Families gather to bake, craft and decorate, filling their homes with the scent of cinnamon and the laughter of children. 

Even though Christmas today often appears to be a material celebration, its deeper meaning remains tied to compassion and generosity. In Luxembourg, despite prosperity, poverty still exists – sometimes overlooked or ignored. That is why it is so moving to see how many people dedicate time and resources during Advent to helping those less fortunate. This spirit of solidarity reflects the true heart of Christmas. 

Language is another treasure of our heritage. Christmas songs, poems and texts in Luxembourg are not only written and sung in Luxembourgish, but also in German and French – a reflection of our history and multilingual identity. From an early age, children in schools learn and perform these songs in several languages, strengthening their connection to Luxembourg’s diverse traditions and carrying them forward to the next generation. 

Advent traditions here are rich and varied. The Advent wreath (Adventskranz), with its four candles, marks the Sundays leading up to Christmas. Children delight in opening their Advent calendars, discovering small surprises each day. In schools and at home, they craft ornaments, paper stars and festive garlands, brightening classrooms and living rooms alike. Baking is another cherished tradition: recipes for Christmas cookies and Stollen reflect influences from Germany and France, especially Alsace, and bring families together in kitchens filled with warmth and creativity. 

At our school, Advent is also a time of giving. Each year, students take part in collections for charitable causes, showing remarkable generosity and empathy. Their commitment fills me with pride, as they embody the true spirit of Christmas through their actions. 

Advent in Luxembourg is not only about traditions at home, but also about language, food and music that reflect our rich cultural heritage. In the following sections, you will find a little of each. 

Book Corner

Advent reading and creativity 

These books combine storytelling, tradition and creativity, making them ideal companions for families during Advent. 

Music Highlight

Celebrate the season with Luxembourgish songs from the Zinglabumm CD Mir waarden op een.   

This collection brings together traditional Nikolaus and Christmas songs in Luxembourgish, offering a joyful soundtrack for the Advent season. The melodies capture the warmth of family gatherings, the excitement of children awaiting Kleeschen, and the festive spirit that fills homes across the country. Listening to these songs is a wonderful way to connect with Luxembourg’s cultural heritage and to share the magic of Christmas with the next generation. Discover the CD here on Apple music: Mir waarden op een

Language Fun – Word of the Week   

Luxembourgish: Den Adventskranz → [At-vent-skrants]  

English: the Advent wreath

What is it? An Advent wreath made of evergreen branches with four candles, symbolising the four Sundays of Advent. 

Try it in a sentence:  Mir hunn eisen Adventskranz mat véier Käerzen dekoréiert.   

It means: We decorated our Advent wreath with four candles.

Recipe: Luxembourgish Christmas Cookies

Recipe by Anne Faber

This year, why not try a Christmas cookie with a Luxembourgish twist? Anne Faber’s recipe for Spitzbuben with Quetschekraut combines the traditional German butter cookie with a local filling: damson jam (Quetschekraut). The result is a festive treat that blends German tradition with Luxembourg’s culinary heritage. 

Ingredients

Makes approximately 50 filled cookies + 30 mini ones

• 250g butter (cubed) 

• 50g sugar 

• 80g icing sugar 

• 1 egg 

• 380g flour 

• Pinch of salt 

• 1½ tsp cinnamon (or Anne’s Sweet Spice mix) 

• ½ tsp star anise powder 

• Quetschekraut (damson jam) for filling 

• 2 tbsp icing sugar 

• A few drops of cherry liqueur or lemon juice 

Instructions

1. Mix butter, sugar and icing sugar until smooth. Add egg, then flour, salt and spices. Form into two discs, wrap and chill for 30 minutes. 
2. Preheat oven to 180°C (fan). Roll out dough to 3mm thickness. Cut out cookies with a 5cm cutter. Bake for 10 minutes until edges are golden. 
3. For the top cookies, cut out a small hole in the centre. Bake these (and the mini cookies from the holes) for 8 minutes. 
4. Once cooled, spread Quetschekraut on the bottom cookies and sandwich with the holed tops. 
5. Mix icing sugar with cherry liqueur or lemon juice, drizzle over the mini cookies and let dry overnight. 

Full recipe: Anne’s Kitchen – Spitzbuben with Quetschekraut 

As we enter this Advent season, I hope these traditions, recipes and songs inspire you to embrace both the joy and the deeper meaning of Christmas. It is a time not only for light and celebration, but also for compassion, generosity and togetherness. I am proud to see how our community – and especially our students – contribute to keeping these values alive. 

May this Advent bring warmth to your homes, kindness to your hearts and hope for the year ahead. 

Léif Gréiss 

Isabelle frisch-Koopmans 

• This article is part of our “Inside Luxembourg” series, celebrating the stories, flavours and traditions that shape our local culture.