Christkind
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The Christkind (
History
Promulgated by
The Christkind is a sprite-like child, usually depicted with blond hair and angelic wings.[5] Martin Luther intended it to be a reference to the incarnation of Jesus as an infant (see Christ Child). Sometimes the Christ Child is, instead of the infant Jesus, interpreted as a specific angel bringing the presents, as it appears in some processions together with an image of little Jesus Christ. Later, the Christkind was said to make rounds delivering gifts with St. Nicholas.[6]
Children never see the Christkind in person, and parents tell them that Christkind will not come and bring presents if they are curious and try to spot it. The family enters the living room, where the Christmas tree has been put up, for the opening of presents (the Bescherung), when the parents say that they think that the Christkind who has brought the presents has now left again. In some traditions, the departure is announced by the ringing of a small bell, which the parents pretend to have heard or which is secretly done by one of the adults in the family.
Since the 1990s, the Christkind has faced increasing competition from the Weihnachtsmann, caused by the use of the American version of Santa Claus as an advertising figure.[citation needed] Many traditionalist Catholics in recent times have advocated for the tradition of the Christkind as a "beautiful means of restoring the true meaning of Christmas".[7]
Christkindl or Christkindel are
Christkindl is also a part of the city of Steyr in Austria, named after the allegedly miraculous wax statue of Christkind in the town church.[8]
Czech Ježíšek
Ježíšek (the
The tradition of Ježíšek has been observed by the Czechs for more than 400 years.
At present, belief in Ježíšek is upheld in modern Czech society, despite having the lowest rates of religious affiliation in the world.[12]
La Christine in Acadiana
La Christine (also found in the forms La Christiane and La Crisquine
See also
- Kris Kringle, an Americanized pronunciation and spelling of Christkindl
- and Eastern France
- List of Christmas and winter gift-bringers by country
References
- ISBN 0-520-25104-0, pp. 68-79.
- ISBN 9780786402465.
Beginning in the sixteenth century, the Lutheran Church promoted Christ as the children's gift-giver, hoping to draw attention to the child for whom Christmas was named.
- ISBN 9780807899410.
The Christkind, despite his Lutheran roots, was especially popular in Catholic households because of his lingering associations with Jesus.
- ISBN 9781472803443.
Instead, the Christkind became popular in more Catholic countries, and remains the main gift bringer in many Catholic countries in Latin America.
- ^ Clement A.Miles Christmas customs and traditions, their history and significance p. 230. Courier Dover Publications, 1976
- ISBN 9780520258020.
...soon the Christ child was making the rounds with Saint Nicholas or a replacement figure.
- ^ Matt, Michael J. "An Advent Reflection: Waiting for the Christ Child". The Remnant. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
- ^ The history of Christkindl Retrieved 2009-12-20
- ^ Prague.Net. "Czech Santa.". Retrieved on August 21, 2013.
- ^ Rocks, David. Chicago Tribune News. "Czech Kids Find Santa Claus A Bit Confusing." Retrieved on August 21, 2013.
- ^ Embassy of the United States: Prague/Czech Republic. Archived 2013-12-03 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on August 21, 2013.
- ^ a b Scott, Thomas. Prague Post. "Local Holiday Forces is Tested by Global Forces." Retrieved on August 21, 2013.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-60473-403-4.
- ^ a b "C'est Vrai: More on Mother Christmas | EvangelineToday.com | Ville Platte Gazette, Mamou Acadian Press, Basile Weekly | Evangeline Parish, La". archive.evangelinetoday.com. Retrieved 2020-12-08.
- ^ "German-Americans". Center for Louisiana Studies. 2016-09-14. Retrieved 2020-12-08.
External links
- Landler, Mark (12 December 2002). "Vienna Journal; For Austrians, Ho-Ho-Ho Is No Laughing Matter". The New York Times. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
- Cain, Phil (14 December 2009). "Austria campaign to save Christkind from Santa Claus". BBC News. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
- Ježíšek or Santa Claus? - Prague Monitor