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[[File:Christkind.jpg|thumb|Christkind]] |
[[File:Christkind.jpg|thumb|Christkind]] |
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The '''Christkind''' (German "[[Christ Child|Christ-child]]", pronounced {{IPA-de|ˈkʁɪstkɪnt|}}) is the traditional [[Christmas]] gift-bringer in Austria, Switzerland, Germany (in the south and west), the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Croatia, |
The '''Christkind''' (German "[[Christ Child|Christ-child]]", pronounced {{IPA-de|ˈkʁɪstkɪnt|}}) is the traditional [[Christmas]] gift-bringer in [[Austria]], [[Switzerland]], [[Germany]] (in the south and west), the Czech Republic, [[Slovenia]], [[Croatia]], [[South Tyrol]], Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Slovakia, Hungary, parts of northeastern France, [[Upper Silesia]] in Poland, parts of [[Hispanic America]], in certain areas of southern Brazil, [[Quebec]] in Canada, and in the [[Acadiana]] region of [[Louisiana]]. In Italian, it is called ''Gesù Bambino'', in Portuguese ''Menino Jesus'' ("[[Jesus in Christianity|Jesus]] Boy"), in Hungarian ''Jézuska'' ("Little Jesus"), in Slovak ''Ježiško'' ("Little Jesus"), in Czech ''[[Ježíšek]]'' ("Little Jesus"), in Latin America『Niño Dios』("God Child") or『Niño Jesús』("Jesus Child") and in Croatian ''Isusić'' or ''Isusek'' ("Little Jesus"). |
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Promulgated by [[Martin Luther]] at the [[Protestant Reformation]] in 16th–17th-century Europe, many Protestants adopted this gift bringer, the Christ Child or ''Christkindl'', and the date of giving gifts changed from [[Saint Nicholas Day|December 6]] to [[Christmas Eve]].<ref>Forbes, Bruce David, ''Christmas: a candid history'', University of California Press, 2007, {{ISBN|0-520-25104-0}}, pp. 68-79.</ref> As such, the "[[Lutheran Church]] promoted Christ as the children's gift-giver, hoping to draw attention to the child for whom Christmas was named."<ref name="Siefker1997">{{cite book|last=Siefker|first=Phyllis|title=Santa Claus, Last of the Wild Men: The Origins and Evolution of Saint Nicholas, Spanning 50,000 Years|date=1 January 1997|publisher=McFarland|language=English|isbn=9780786402465|page=158|quote=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.}}</ref> The Christkind was adopted in [[Catholic]] areas of Germany during the 19th century.<ref name="Perry2010">{{cite book|last=Perry|first=Joe|title=Christmas in Germany: A Cultural History|date=27 September 2010|publisher=Univ of North Carolina Press|language=English|isbn=9780807899410|page=36|quote=The Christkind, despite his Lutheran roots, was especially popular in Catholic households because of his lingering associations with Jesus.}}</ref> To this date, the Christkindl "remains the main gift bringer in many Catholic countries in Latin America."<ref name="McCullough2014">{{cite book|last=McCullough|first=Joseph|title=The Story of Santa Claus|date=20 September 2014|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|language=English|isbn=9781472803443|page=43|quote=Instead, the Christkind became popular in more Catholic countries, and remains the main gift bringer in many Catholic countries in Latin America.}}</ref> |
Promulgated by [[Martin Luther]] at the [[Protestant Reformation]] in 16th–17th-century Europe, many Protestants adopted this gift bringer, the Christ Child or ''Christkindl'', and the date of giving gifts changed from [[Saint Nicholas Day|December 6]] to [[Christmas Eve]].<ref>Forbes, Bruce David, ''Christmas: a candid history'', University of California Press, 2007, {{ISBN|0-520-25104-0}}, pp. 68-79.</ref> As such, the "[[Lutheran Church]] promoted Christ as the children's gift-giver, hoping to draw attention to the child for whom Christmas was named."<ref name="Siefker1997">{{cite book|last=Siefker|first=Phyllis|title=Santa Claus, Last of the Wild Men: The Origins and Evolution of Saint Nicholas, Spanning 50,000 Years|date=1 January 1997|publisher=McFarland|language=English|isbn=9780786402465|page=158|quote=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.}}</ref> The Christkind was adopted in [[Catholic]] areas of Germany during the 19th century.<ref name="Perry2010">{{cite book|last=Perry|first=Joe|title=Christmas in Germany: A Cultural History|date=27 September 2010|publisher=Univ of North Carolina Press|language=English|isbn=9780807899410|page=36|quote=The Christkind, despite his Lutheran roots, was especially popular in Catholic households because of his lingering associations with Jesus.}}</ref> To this date, the Christkindl "remains the main gift bringer in many Catholic countries in Latin America."<ref name="McCullough2014">{{cite book|last=McCullough|first=Joseph|title=The Story of Santa Claus|date=20 September 2014|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|language=English|isbn=9781472803443|page=43|quote=Instead, the Christkind became popular in more Catholic countries, and remains the main gift bringer in many Catholic countries in Latin America.}}</ref> |
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The Christkind is a sprite-like child, usually depicted with blond hair and [[angel]]ic wings.<ref>Clement A.Miles [https://books.google.com/books?id=1XRjAyL8LogC&pg=PA230&dq=Christkind+alsatian&hl=en&ei=F_BvTcW8Mcy7hAfdtI2qBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CD4Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q&f=false Christmas customs and traditions, their history and significance] p. 230. Courier Dover Publications, 1976</ref> 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 [[Saint Nicholas#Saint Nicholas the festive gift-giver|St. Nicholas]].<ref name="Forbes2008">{{cite book|last=Forbes|first=Bruce David|title=Christmas: A Candid History|date=1 October 2008|publisher=University of California Press|language=English|isbn=9780520258020|quote=...soon the Christ child was making the rounds with Saint Nicholas or a replacement figure.}}</ref> |
The Christkind is a sprite-like child, usually depicted with blond hair and [[angel]]ic wings.<ref>Clement A.Miles [https://books.google.com/books?id=1XRjAyL8LogC&pg=PA230&dq=Christkind+alsatian&hl=en&ei=F_BvTcW8Mcy7hAfdtI2qBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CD4Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q&f=false Christmas customs and traditions, their history and significance] p. 230. Courier Dover Publications, 1976</ref> 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 [[Saint Nicholas#Saint Nicholas the festive gift-giver|St. Nicholas]].<ref name="Forbes2008">{{cite book|last=Forbes|first=Bruce David|title=Christmas: A Candid History|date=1 October 2008|publisher=University of California Press|language=English|isbn=9780520258020|quote=...soon the Christ child was making the rounds with Saint Nicholas or a replacement figure.}}</ref> |
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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. |
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. Often children would just see an open window upon entering the room, indicating that the Christkind had just left. |
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Since the 1990s, the Christkind is facing increasing competition from the [[Weihnachtsmann]] in the American version of [[Santa Claus]], caused by the use of Santa Claus as an advertising figure.{{citation needed|date=December 2011}} 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]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.remnantnewspaper.com/Archives/archive-2005-1215-santa.htm|title=An Advent Reflection: Waiting for the Christ Child|last=Matt|first=Michael J.|publisher=[[The Remnant (newspaper)|The Remnant]]|language=English|accessdate=12 December 2016}}</ref> |
Since the 1990s, the Christkind is facing increasing competition from the [[Weihnachtsmann]] in the American version of [[Santa Claus]], caused by the use of Santa Claus as an advertising figure.{{citation needed|date=December 2011}} 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]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.remnantnewspaper.com/Archives/archive-2005-1215-santa.htm|title=An Advent Reflection: Waiting for the Christ Child|last=Matt|first=Michael J.|publisher=[[The Remnant (newspaper)|The Remnant]]|language=English|accessdate=12 December 2016}}</ref> |
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The Christkind (German "Christ-child", pronounced [ˈkʁɪstkɪnt]) is the traditional Christmas gift-bringer in Austria, Switzerland, Germany (in the south and west), the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Croatia, South Tyrol, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Slovakia, Hungary, parts of northeastern France, Upper Silesia in Poland, parts of Hispanic America, in certain areas of southern Brazil, Quebec in Canada, and in the Acadiana region of Louisiana. In Italian, it is called Gesù Bambino, in Portuguese Menino Jesus ("Jesus Boy"), in Hungarian Jézuska ("Little Jesus"), in Slovak Ježiško ("Little Jesus"), in Czech Ježíšek ("Little Jesus"), in Latin America『Niño Dios』("God Child") or『Niño Jesús』("Jesus Child") and in Croatian IsusićorIsusek ("Little Jesus").
Promulgated by Martin Luther at the Protestant Reformation in 16th–17th-century Europe, many Protestants adopted this gift bringer, the Christ Child or Christkindl, and the date of giving gifts changed from December 6toChristmas Eve.[1] As such, the "Lutheran Church promoted Christ as the children's gift-giver, hoping to draw attention to the child for whom Christmas was named."[2] The Christkind was adopted in Catholic areas of Germany during the 19th century.[3] To this date, the Christkindl "remains the main gift bringer in many Catholic countries in Latin America."[4]
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. Often children would just see an open window upon entering the room, indicating that the Christkind had just left.
Since the 1990s, the Christkind is facing increasing competition from the Weihnachtsmann in the American version of Santa Claus, caused by the use 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 diminutive versions of Christkind. Christkind and Belsnickel are also found among communities of Volga German descent in Argentina. A well-known figure is the Christkind at the ChristkindlesmarktinNuremberg, which is represented by a young woman chosen every year for this task.
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]
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.
The Christkind, despite his Lutheran roots, was especially popular in Catholic households because of his lingering associations with Jesus.
Instead, the Christkind became popular in more Catholic countries, and remains the main gift bringer in many Catholic countries in Latin America.
...soon the Christ child was making the rounds with Saint Nicholas or a replacement figure.
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