What is Christkind?
Christkind is an alternative Christmas figure developed by the church reformer Martin Luther in the 16th century. One of the claims of Luther and others who tried to change Catholicism was that prayer for the saints was in the form of idolatry, and so strictly forbidden in many places in the Bible. Tradition of waiting for the arrival of St. Nicholas and bringing Christmas gifts would not do in the Lutheran teachings, and Luther instead made them predict Christ's arrival.
Christkind, which means Christ's child, is a representation of Jesus as a child, not a child. The early forms of this character showed a young blond child with wings. Traditions have expanded the role of Christkind in certain parts of Germany, Austria and other countries in the area, and now local cities can choose a teenage girl who has been playing for Christ for several weeks during the Christmas season. What began as a slightly older version of Jesus became a winged blonde girl, usually Bedecked in white and gold.
This number shares a lotIn common with Santa Claus and provides gifts on Christmas Eve. The main difference in thinking, especially in early times, was the idea that this character was a representation of Christ. Emphasis was placed on the fact that Jesus Christ, through which all good things come, and certainly not the holy or secular version of Sant Claus. Santa Claus and all his speeches have never left, and the name Kris Kringle actually comes from Christkind.
Angelic symbol was particularly revived as Nuremburg, Germany, since the end of World War II. From this moment, various Christkinder was displayed as teenage girls. One of the traditions that dates back to the centuries is Christkindlesmarkt, the Christmas market that takes place every year in various cities where a huge amount of Christmas supplies and toys are sold. Theobs are enjoying the markets and many people come to taste food and drink and also buy the season.
The chosen Christkind and adults may be present in such markets and children can visit it. Since World War II, not only came to represent Christ's child, but also to be a symbol of hope after a great destruction. In addition, it means a very personal relationship that every individual with Jesus Christ can have.
The controversy of using Santa (St. Nick) or other numbers continues. Some cities in countries expecting Christkind are disturbed when different representations of Santa Claus are announced. Others allow both characters to exist together, each of which was symbolic during the Christmas season.