The Christkind (German for 'Christ-child'; pronounced [ˈkʁɪstˌkɪnt]), also called Christkindl, is the traditional Christmas gift-bringer in Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia, southern and western Germany, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the eastern part of Belgium, Portugal, Slovakia, Hungary, ...
In Germany and nearby regions, the Christkind is the traditional Christmas gift-bringer. While children rarely see the Christkind in person, its departure is often marked by the soft ringing of bells. In some areas, children write letters to the Christkind, sharing their holiday wishes.
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.
Traditionally in Germany, a character called the Belsnickel would visit children alongside Saint Nicholas. Many cultures have an assistant accompany St. Nicholas/Santa Claus during his visits to punish the children who need to correct their behavior.
The Christkind is the bearer of Christmas gifts to most children in German-speaking countries, just as Santa Claus is to children in the United States. Her origin goes back to the protestant reformer Martin Luther in the early 1500's. At that point in time, the tradition was to give children gifts on December 6th, St.
Christkindl Markt's take their name from the Christkindl, which is an angelic messenger of the Christ child. Historically, Christkind was introduced after the reformation by the Protestants who considered St. Nicholas to be reminiscent of the Pope.
The term Weihnachtsmann is a very generic German term for Father Christmas, St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus. The German Weihnachtsmann is a fairly recent Christmas tradition having little if any religious or folkloric background.
Although it is a Christian festival to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, Germans with no particular religious beliefs also celebrate Christmas. Last year, 81 percent of the people living in Germany celebrated Christmas. Celebrating this festival is an important family 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.
25 in Germany. Instead, the Christkind or Christkindl, an angel-like creature with blond hair and wings, brings gifts to families on the eve of Christmas. Depicted as a blond female angel, the Christkind opens the Christmas season at the Nuremberg Christmas market every year.
Since 1969, the Nuremberg Christkind has been chosen every two years by an election process. Young Nuremberg women are invited to apply for this voluntary post.
First, the presents are not delivered by Santa Claus, but by the Christkind (originally the Christ Child Jesus, nowadays an angel like figure). Since Germans celebrate his birthday that day, they receive presents and joy in return.
we say LE Christkind, so it's masculine. The German translation is "Christ Child". Except that... in popular Germanic imagery, the character takes the form of a young girl wearing a crown adorned with four candles.
The Christ Child has been popular in Christmas customs as the gift bringer since roughly 1800 in south Germany. They secretly bring children the gifts on the evening of the 24th December surrounded in a mysterious light and they are never caught in the act.
At the centre of a German Christmas evening spread you'll usually find a roasted goose, turkey or duck, traditionally served with lovely plump bread dumplings – the classic round ones, or one great big festive loaf-shaped one, known as a Serviettenknödel (pictured sliced, above), plus braised red cabbage or stewed kale ...
Weihnachten (German: [ˈvaɪnaxtn̩]) is the observance of what is commonly known in English as Christmas in the German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
The official language of Germany is German, with over 95% of the population speaking German as their first language. Minority languages include Sorbian, spoken by 0.09% in the east of Germany and North Frisian spoken in Nordfriesland by around 10,000 people, or 0.01%, who also speak German.
Learn all about this yearly children's celebration. 6 December is Saint Nicholas Day, better known as Nikolaus in Germany. While the day may not receive the full religious celebration it does in Southern Germany and other traditionally Catholic regions, children across Europe look forward to this day each year.
Nicholas. He was the Bishop of Myra in the 4th century and his traditional robes were red and white. Nicholas was known for his generosity and kindness towards children. Some historians argue that he originally dressed in different colors, but after he passed away, his legend grew—including his scarlet apparel.
Every year in early December, children in Germany and Austria anxiously prepare for a visit from St. Nicholas. Those who were good will be rewarded with presents and treats, but those who misbehaved will face his menacing partner, Krampus, the devilish figure who beats naughty children and drags them off to hell!
The Christkindl (Christ Child) figure, as a gift giver, was introduced by Martin Luther in Germany during the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. Because the doctrine of the reformation believed that praying to Saints was idol worship, the gift giver, St. Nicholas was replaced with the Christkindl.
Germany's wintry Christmas markets, with their elaborate, cabin-like wooden stalls, are world-famous. The Christmas markets in some of the older cities like Nuremburg (Christkindlesmarkt), Cologne or Lübeck have a long tradition and attract hundreds of thousands of visitors.
