My family moved to Germany when I was 3 and we lived there for 12 years. I remember learning the following poem in school:

Advent Advent
Ein Lichtlein brennt
Erst ein, dann zwei, dann drei, dann vier
Dann steht das Christkind vor der Tür.

Directly translated this means:

Advent Advent
A little light burns
First one, then two, then three, then four,
Then stands the Christ Child at the door.
In Germany, the Christ Child brings the presents on Christmas Eve. Their version of Santa Claus is actually St. Nicholas whose day is celebrated December 6. He also leaves gifts for children but in their shoes, not under a tree. Fruit, candy, toys, and goodies if kids have been good, and switches if they have been bad. (Or both if they have been good and bad.)

I remember Advent wreaths everywhere in Germany, not just churches, but also in public places. Everyone had advent calendars, each day containing chocolate and/or pictures, and these provided a daily reminder of this special time of year.

Most towns in Germany have Christmas markets during Advent: “Weihnachtsmarkt” in some parts of Germany and “Christkindlmarkt” in Catholic parts of Germany (literally “Christ Child Market”). It was always freezing and sometimes snowing, but everyone, people of all ages would manage to find their way to these markets to enjoy shopping, food, and “Glühwein”, a hot sweet spiced red wine. This feeling of community and festivity during the Christmas season is one of my fondest memories of Germany