> not only the presents but the whole celebration should be full of surprises for all members of the family. the father lights the candle in the jul-leuchter, or 'jul earthenware candlestick', from which the tree candles in turn get their light. [...] the jul-leuchter, presented by reichsfhrer-ss himmler to the ss man, is the most important symbol used throughout the year to mark celebrations and commemorations. its cut-out heart represents hearth and home, and the hagal rune peace through victory. at midnight, when the candles on the yuletide tree are burnt down, the ss man will put the jul-leuchter on the table. the candlestick with its year-long candle has been lit at every family celebration the past year. its candle has burned down, and it should receive a new one tonight. just as our ancestors never let the sacred hearth cooking fire extinguish, so our jul-leuchter must always have a light. thus it becomes a symbol of the never dying sunlight. everyone becomes very thoughtful when the old candle finally burns down and the new one is put in its place."
Sweden