Yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent, and it was made extra special by the door from Abgeleint. Another 21 pre-Christmas posts (including ours today) are waiting for you at the Dogblogger Advent Calendar! Take a look and feel free to sign up for the newsletter too — that way you'll be entered in the draw for the Christmas gift basket on 20 December. The "holy Barbara" is also contributing something to the basket ;)
4. December
My parents settled on the name Barbara after I was born — since today is my name day, and the tradition of Barbara branches is quite well known in Austria, I'd like to share my own version of the story of Saint Barbara with you.
Barbara & her unwavering faith.
The curious and inquisitive Barbara was the daughter of a wealthy, respected merchant, and had been utterly besotted with dogs since childhood.
Her loving but ever-worried father sheltered and watched over her, wanting to keep her away from anything that might harm her. Concerned for his daughter, he forbade her any contact with the dearly beloved animals — even though she had always had a special way with them and every furry creature sought out her company.
And so her father had her locked away in a tower — a perfectly well-appointed one, to be sure — so that she could focus on her first-rate education without any distractions.
In her seclusion, Barbara came to know the world of dogs even better — she read countless books and studied the behaviour of the estate's beloved four-legged residents from her tower window. Her fascination with these animals grew and grew.
Whenever her father was away on his travels, Barbara could secretly spend time with the estate dogs — against his express wishes.
Is there any escape?
Her father found out, was so furious and threatened her so severely that Barbara fled.
The two little Bulldogs from the estate helped her and found her a hiding place in a cave, marking the entrance rock so she could find it again.
A shepherd, however, betrayed her whereabouts.
And so her father found her and dragged her back home. Along the way, the dogs followed close behind her, carrying a cherry tree branch, refusing to leave her side. Barbara took the bare branch and swore that they would see each other again as soon as it began to bloom.
Her father locked Barbara away in the tower once more and continued trying to talk her out of her love of animals — all in vain. So he gave Barbara a task: she was to sew him new clothes, which she resisted at first.
Initially he tried gentle persuasion, but didn't shy away from shouting either.
Despite all her sadness, Barbara's thoughts remained with the creatures who treated her with such gentleness and understood her emotions.
She resigned herself to her fate and sewed — and from the leftover scraps of fabric she secretly made scarves for her rescuers in need, and an escape scarf for herself. When the cherry branch that Barbara had lovingly tended began to bloom on the night of 24 December, the moment had come!
The final escape.
Everything was ready and Barbara set for her escape. The tower rope was lowered down along the old stone wall and she slid her way towards freedom. At the bottom, the Bullies were already waiting for her, and together they left the old walls behind to find Barbara's loving mother — who had been driven away by the father years earlier for her kind-heartedness — in a distant little town.
They had to cross rough terrain and pass through a dark forest, but Barbara could count on her two little helpers, and soon the town was within reach.
The surprise was immense when, at the Christmas Eve supper, Barbara and her animal helpers stood before her mother's gate. All three were welcomed with beaming joy, and that 24th of December became a truly wonderful celebration for everyone!
More about Saint Barbara
The legend (without dogs)
Who is she the patron saint of?
Why are branches put in a vase on 4 December?
Barbara found comfort and hope in the cherry branch that — even though it had already seemed dead — began to bloom in her tower dungeon.
As a reminder of this seemingly small miracle and as a good-luck charm for the coming year, Barbara branches are cut from the garden on 4 December and placed in a vase so that they can begin to bloom — perhaps right on time — on Christmas Day.
Tips for blooming little branches.
- soak the branches completely in lukewarm water overnight and place them in a vase the next day
- change the water every 3 days
- besides cherry tree branches, twigs from other fruit trees such as apple, plum or quince work just as well
Keeping the Christmas anticipation alive.
Did you enjoy our story?
Then stop by tomorrow at my fellow dog blogger Dreipunktecharlie and let yourself be surprised in true advent calendar fashion!
