Gifts of the Christ Child

The Gifts of the Christkind

The idea that the Christkind or Christchild brings children their Christmas gifts began with the protestant reformer, Martin Luther (1483-1546).  In Luther’s time, it was traditional to give children gifts on December 6^th, St. Nicolas Day. To turn away from the Catholic veneration of saints and saint’s days, Luther celebrated gift-giving in his household on Christmas Eve. He told his children the “Holy Christ” had brought their presents. This tradition quickly took hold in Lutheran families. In Nuremberg, for example, it was already common by the end of the 16^th century.

--based on the article “A Symbol for Nuremberg, the Origin of the Christkind” on the website http://www.christkindlesmarkt.de/en/christkind

artwork: Johann Georg Meyer von Bremen: Christkind armen Kindern Geschenke bringend (1840) (The Christ Child Bringing Gifts to Poor Children)

Here is a poem from the same era as the picture:

Ein Liedchen vom Christabend

Liebes Freundchen, heil'ger Christ,
Der so hold den Kindern ist,
Ach verdopple deinen Schritt
Und bring hübsche Sachen mit!

Süßer Äpfel einen Sack,
Pfeffernüsse einen Pack,
Nüss und Mandeln viele Schock,
Neue Schuhe, neuen Rock!

Hast du hübsche Spielerei'n,
So gib auch davon was drein
Und dazu ein Büchlein schön,
In dem bunte Bilder stehn.

Hab mich ja, wie sich's gebührt,
Alle Zeit gut aufgeführt,
Darum hoff' ich wohlgemut,
Wirst's auch diesmal machen gut

Brav sein will ich auch dies Jahr,
Besser werden immerdar,
Dass du, lieber, heil'ger Christ,
Ganz gewiss mein Freundchen bist!

    Anonymous, 1841

A Little Song for Christmas Eve

The song tells us that the Christ Child will bring us pretty things: Sweet apples, cookies, almonds, as well as new shoes, games and a nice little book.  The last verse is a promise to be good so that the Christ Child can be our friend.