Christmas was a celebration lived intensely by the Van Gogh family. The whole family looked forward to it.
Vincent loved the domestic conviviality, having his father, mother, brothers and sisters around him.
That is why he was almost always at home for the holidays.
Curious about how Christmas was celebrated in the Van Gogh family and how Vincent experienced it?
In the Protestant family of Pastor Van Gogh, Christmas always became very special. After father's sermon in the little church in Zundert (1849-1871), the family gathered in the parsonage. They were happy moments. After the children left the parental home, Christmas became even more special because everyone then returned home. Vincent later wrote about his time at boarding school: "And then that evening when my Father came to see me for the first time. And that first t'come home at Christmas Mass." Thus Christmas for him remained linked to the memory of the happy family life of his youth.
Willemien van Gogh, wrote this touching bill to Vincent and Theo in December 1875:
"I thank you very much for your last letters which made us very happy. How wonderful it will be at home at Christmas. It has been very cold here but now it is very mild. Theo, how sad was your leg, is it better now? We will probably have a Christmas tree. Thursday begins our vacation. And now, hello dear Vincent and Theo, a very merry Christmas is wished to you by
Your loving sister Wil."
Vincent's parents lived in Etten between 1875 and 1882. Vincent often spent the holidays there and in 1881 he lived here for several months.
In October 1875, the Van Gogh family moved from Zundert to Etten. Father Theodorus Van Gogh had received a position as pastor here. Vincent was living abroad at the time and Etten was the home base for him where he was reunited with family, mainly during holidays, such as Easter and Christmas. Vincent enjoyed being with his family. But on Christmas 1881, that went dramatically....
In early August 1882, the family Van Gogh moves to Nuenen, where father is appointed pastor. This is the first year the family celebrates Christmas in Nuenen. And there we witness one more peaceful Christmas scene at the family's home Van Gogh. Father Theodorus writes a letter to Theo from Nuenen on December 25, 1882.
"But how you have delighted us this morning with your lovely Christmas cards. How beautiful they are and they say so much to us! Meanwhile, these are busy days but very uplifting and good, also in our little church it is sweet."
