Christmas Fun Facts – Discover the Christmas giver named Christkind!

Five hundred years ago, the church reformer, Martin Luther, wanted to change the focus of Saint Nicholas as the bearer of the gift to the baby Jesus. So, in the 16th and 17th centuries in Europe, many Protestants changed the gift-bearer to the Christ child known as ‘Christkind’. The gift-giving date was also changed from the Feast of Saint Nicholas on December 6 to Christmas Eve on December 24.

The traditional bearer of Christmas gifts in Germany and in most German-speaking regions of Europe is ‘The Christ Child’, also known as ‘Christkind’. This popular gift bearer is represented in areas of Europe such as Italy, Switzerland, Hungary, Croatia, Australia, southern Brazil, some parts of Spanish America, and Slovakia.

The Christkind in Germany is most often depicted as an elf-like boy with angelic wings and blonde hair in a white robe. Some suppose that Christkind is the incarnation of Jesus when he was a child. Children often like to leave a letter on the windowsill for the Chirstkind. However, the children never see the Christkind. They are encouraged not to lean out and try to see the figure arrive because if they don’t show up they will stay. So the tradition is for parents to secretly ring a bell, which the children believe rings the departing Christkind. Parents will always tell children that Christkind disappeared after leaving presents under the tree, just before they entered the room. It is a magical tradition.

There are many writings that suggest that the Germans had a hard time thinking about baby Jesus giving gifts, so the Christmas gift giver gradually transformed into a sweet girl. This sweet girl became known as Christkind. Today, in modern Germany, the Christkind is chosen every year in a contest. Usually a teenager, dressed in gold who is like a rock star complete with bodyguards, publicist and even her own entourage. The entrance to the modern Christkind is often marked by cheering crowds.

However, the appearance and name ‘Christkind’ changes from region to region. Here are some name variations that can be found, for example: Christkindl, Christkindle and Christkindel. Another popular depiction of Christkind is a fairy-like being with a crown on her long curly golden locks, dressed in a glorious gold and white robe. However, in some regions, the golden angelic girl is nowhere to be seen, as the traditional ‘Weihnachtsmann’ or Father Christmas (better known as Santa Claus) is the bearer of gifts.

So depending on where you are in Europe you will see variations of the Christkind depiction. However, no matter where you are, this gift bearer is depicted as bringing much joy and happiness.