Mystery remains, but meaning is revealed.
A cultural guide to holiday traditions in Germany and the American South.
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About The Author
Albert G. (Bert) Thayer was born in Massachusetts and grew up in New England. He worked briefly in the timber industry in Massachusetts and Vermont before moving to Texas, where he also worked in the timber industry before joining the US Army, serving ten years, being stationed close to seven years in Germany. He has lived a good deal of his adult life in Texas.
Christmas for a Fish Out of Water
The different customs and activities at Christmas in another country or another part of the USA can make a person feel like a fish out of water. This book will get American exchange students and soldiers serving in Germany back in the swim of things and no longer feel like a fish out of water. The book covers St. Boniface, who, according to legend, started the Christmas-tree custom and explained why his statue has a dagger in his Bible. It tells of St. Nicolas in Bavaria coming in early December and not on Christmas Eve. Also, it tells of Three Kings Day almost two weeks after Christmas. It goes on to elaborate about “Silent Night,” ending with a description of black-eyed peas on New Year’s in Texas. No mystery is solved here, but much is demystified for an American reader.
Albert G. Thayer’s Christmas for a Fish Out of Water is a charming and insightful cultural companion that bridges the gap between American holiday traditions and the rich, sometimes surprising customs found in Germany and various parts of the United States. With a warm and conversational tone, Thayer invites readers—particularly American exchange students, expatriates, and military personnel stationed abroad—into a world that, though unfamiliar at first, soon becomes not only understandable but also heartwarming. See More
Christmas for a Fish Out of Water by Albert G. Thayer
Albert G. Thayer demonstrates a rare gift for cultural storytelling, one that is both accessible and deeply informative. In Christmas for a Fish Out of Water, his writing strikes the perfect balance between educational and engaging, offering readers a smooth and enjoyable journey through unfamiliar holiday traditions.
Thayer’s prose is clear, concise, and inviting. He avoids heavy-handed explanations or overly academic language, ..See More
The Writing Talent of Albert G. Thayer As revealed in his book, Christmas for a Fish Out of Water
