The term Christkind (German for "Christ-child" or "Christ Child") refers to the traditional Christmas gift-bringer in predominantly Catholic regions of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and several other European and Latin American countries. Unlike the secular, red-suited Santa Claus (Weihnachtsmann), the Christkind is an angelic, ethereal figure that brings presents secretly on Christmas Eve (December 24th).
The Christkind (German for 'Christ-child'; pronounced [ˈkʁɪstˌkɪnt]), also called Christkindl, is the traditional Christmas gift-bringer in Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia, Southern Germany and Western Germany, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the eastern part of Belgium, Portugal, Slovakia, ...
The term “Belsnickeling” comes from Belsnickel, a companion figure to Santa Claus in German folklore. Think of Belsnickel as the stern equivalent to the jolly Saint Nick. Belsnickel traditionally dressed in furs (or sometimes rags, depending on the area) and carried a switch (a small wooden whip).
The name “Christkindl” derives from the Christ Child, who is the central figure of the Christmas celebration in many European cultures. The markets were originally known as “Krippenmärkte” or “Krippenmarkt,” referring to the nativity scenes that were common features of these markets.
Why do we celebrate Christmas? Celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ is more than a Christian holiday or Christian festival. It is more than an occasion to decorate our houses. It is an opportunity to pause and give thanks for the love, hope and joy found in Jesus – our Saviour and friend.
Christkind: How this Christmas Gift-Bringer Differs from Santa Claus
Why do they call it Christmas?
The word Christmas means “Christ's mass” or “mass on Christ's day.” The term originated from the Middle English Christemasse, which came from the Old English Cristes mæsse. (In Roman Catholicism and certain other Christian groups, a mass is a celebration of the Eucharist.)
It was most likely the medieval German tradition of Christmas plays, with an Angel of the Annunciation as the main character, which gave the Christmas Angel its earthly appearance. As angels of all sorts began to be depicted as female and not only male, the Christkind also took on a feminine appearance.
What do Germans do on the 25th and 26th of December?
On December 25th (First Christmas Day) and 26th (Second Christmas Day, Zweiter Weihnachtstag), Germans enjoy official public holidays focused on quiet family time, large festive meals with traditional foods like roast goose or carp, exchanging gifts (which often happens on Christmas Eve), and visiting relatives, with most shops remaining closed as the celebration continues after the main gift-giving on Christmas Eve (Heiligabend).
For most children in The Netherlands, the most important day during December is 5th December, when Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas) brings them their presents! St. Nicholas' Day is on the 6th December, but in The Netherlands, the major celebrations are held on the 5th December, St.
Everybody knows St. Nicholas as the inspiration for modern-day Santa Clause. But what you may not know is an insanely dark and gory origin story in how he became known as the Father of Christmas. It all has to do with a French butcher (or in an 1150 AD version of the tale, an Innkeeper) who some say craved human flesh.
The Scriptures neither command nor forbid the celebration of Christmas. Christians should celebrate and remember the Lord and what He has done for us, including His birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection every day, including Christmas.
What does it mean when Mary pondered in her heart?
Mary was making memories. She was collecting a sort of mental scrapbook. The other key word in this verse is the word, “pondered.” The Greek word means “to throw thoughts together; mull over, draw conclusions, consider, confer mentally.” Another definition for ponder is to wonder at a deep level.
Frohe Weihnachten is the classic for Merry Christmas in German. It is short, spot on and easy to learn — even for beginners. Frohe means joyful and Weihnachten of course translates to Christmas. Nothing could describe this magical time of the year with all its treats, decorations and stories better.
Quedlinburg, with its cobblestone streets and half- timbered houses, is like stepping into a medieval Christmas card. The town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, brims with history, dating back over a thousand years.
A Schwibbogen (German: [ˈʃvɪpˌboːɡn̩]) is a decorative candle-holder from the Ore Mountains region of Saxony, Germany. The first metal schwibbogen was made in 1740 in Johanngeorgenstadt. The early candle arches consisted of a single forged piece of black metal which could be painted.
Christmas ornaments, baubles, globes, "Christmas bulbs", or "Christmas bubbles" are decoration items, usually to decorate Christmas trees. These decorations may be woven, blown (glass or plastic), molded (ceramic or metal), carved from wood or expanded polystyrene, or made by other techniques.
Jesus was likely born between 6 and 4 BC, not on December 25th, with many scholars pointing to the reign of King Herod the Great as a key indicator, as the gospels state Jesus' birth occurred shortly before Herod's death around 4 BC, though the exact date remains unknown and traditions vary.
Mrs. Claus, (also known as Mrs. Santa Claus, Mrs. Santa, Mother Christmas, Mrs. Christmas, Mary Claus or Mary Christmas) is the wife of Santa Claus, the Christmas gift-bringer in Western Christmas tradition.
Christkind folklore dates back to the 1500s and stems from traditional customs: parades during the holiday season were guided by one “grand” angel, the Christkind. Since then, and still today, she is the bearer of gifts to most children in German-speaking countries, much like Santa Claus is in the United States.
Why can't we say "merry Christmas" anymore in the UK?
There's never been any kind of ban on saying Merry Christmas, and creating more (accidentally or intentionally) by spreading this nonsense isn't fair on anyone. If it's been done just for likes, write something useful/nice and they might come your way.
The number 25 has multiple meanings in the Bible, including:Grace: The number 25 can represent grace upon grace, meaning that God will provide multiplied grace when asked.
The pre-Christian Germanic peoples—including the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse—celebrated a winter festival called Yule, held in the late December to early January period, yielding modern English yule, today used as a synonym for Christmas.
