 | You can helpexpand this article with text translated fromthe corresponding article in Czech. (February 2024)Click [show] for important translation instructions.
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| You can helpexpand this article with text translated fromthe corresponding article in German.Click [show] for important translation instructions.
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 Opening of theChristkindlesmarkt inNuremberg by the Christkind | |
| Creature information | |
|---|---|
| Other name(s) | Christkindl, Menino Jesus, Jézuska, Ježiško, Ježíšek, Niño Jesús, Isusek, Dziyciōntko Jezus, Aniołek, Dzieciątko |
| Similar entities | Santa Claus,Sinterklaas,Father Christmas,Nikolaus,Ayaz Ata andDed Moroz |
| Folklore | Christian |
| Origin | |
| Country | Germany,Czech Republic,Poland,Slovakia,Switzerland,Austria,Liechtenstein,Slovenia,Hungary,Croatia,Portugal |
| Region | Southern Germany,Central Europe,Balkans,Eastern Europe |
| Habitat | Heaven |
TheChristkind (German for 'Christ-child';pronounced[ˈkʁɪstˌkɪnt]ⓘ), also calledChristkindl, is the traditionalChristmas gift-bringer in Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia,Southern Germany and Western Germany, theCzech Republic, Croatia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the eastern part of Belgium, Portugal, Slovakia, Hungary, parts of northeastern France,Upper Silesia in Poland, parts ofLatin America, in certain areas ofsouthern Brazil, and in theAcadiana region ofLouisiana.
Christkind is called in PortugueseMenino Jesus ("BoyJesus"), inHungarianJézuska ("Little Jesus"), inSlovakJežiško ("Little Jesus"), in CzechJežíšek ("Little Jesus"), in Latin AmericaNiño Dios ("Child God") orNiño Jesús ("Child Jesus") and inCroatianIsusek ("Little Jesus"), inSilesianDziyciōntko Jezus (Baby Jesus), inCieszyn SilesianAniołek ("Little Angel"), inPolishDzieciątko ("Little baby"). In some parts of Italy, the analogous figure of the Christkind is known asGesù Bambino ("Child Jesus").
Promulgated byMartin Luther at theProtestant Reformation in16th–17th-century Europe to discourage theCatholic devotion of saints such asSaint Nicholas, manyProtestants adopted this gift bringer, the Christ Child orChristkindl, and the date of giving gifts changed fromDecember 6 to Christmas 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 inCatholic 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 andangelic wings.[5] Martin Luther intended it to be a reference to the incarnation of Jesus as an infant (seeChrist 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 withSt. 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 (theBescherung), 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 theWeihnachtsmann, caused by the use of the American version ofSanta 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 thetrue meaning of Christmas".[7]
Christkindl or Christkindel arediminutive versions of Christkind. Christkind andBelsnickel are also found among communities ofVolga German descent in Argentina. A well-known figure is the Christkind at theChristkindlesmarkt inNuremberg, which is represented by a young woman chosen every two years for this task.
Christkindl is also a part of the city ofSteyr in Austria, named after the allegedly miraculous wax statue of Christkind in the town church.[8]
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Ježíšek (theBaby Jesus) is theCzech-language name for the Christkind Christmas figure. There is no accurate description of Ježíšek. He has been depicted as a baby, toddler, and young lad. Some even consider him simply as an abstract figure.[9] According to tradition, Ježíšek makes his appearance on Christmas Eve. In some families, Ježíšek brings theChristmas tree and the gifts. In other families, the Christmas tree is decorated collaboratively with the children.[10]Christmas gifts are delivered by Ježíšek and unboxed on Christmas Eve (24 December) by the children.[11]
The tradition of Ježíšek has been observed by the Czechs for more than 400 years.[12] This is partly due to the large population of Catholics during that period. It wasMartin Luther who coined the term during the 16th century, an attempt to provide a suitable name to their figure other thanSt. Nicholas.
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 (also found in the formsLa Christiane andLa Crisquine[13]) is theCajun French name for a folkloric figure who traditionally brought "fruits, homemade candies and small gifts" on New Year's Eve.[14] The name represents a Gallicized form of "Christkind" and the tradition was most likely brought to the area by German-speaking settlers from Switzerland.[15] In some families, La Christine would make a visit a week afterPapa Noël brought Christmas gifts and might even be described as "Santa Claus' wife",[13] while in others "La Christine" was just another name for Santa Claus.[14]
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 Central Europe and Latin America.
...soon the Christ child was making the rounds with Saint Nicholas or a replacement figure.
