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What is the Christkind?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

The Christkind is an alternate Christmas figure developed by church reformer Martin Luther in the 16th century. One contention of Luther and others who sought to change Catholicism was that praying to saints was a form of idolatry, and thus strictly outlawed in many places in the Bible. The tradition of waiting for St. Nicholas to arrive and bring Christmas presents would not do in Lutheran teaching, and Luther instead enjoined his followers to anticipate the coming of Christ.

Christkind, which means Christ child, is a representation of Jesus as a child, not an infant. Early forms of this figure showed a young blonde child with wings. Traditions have expanded the Christkind role in certain parts of Germany, Austria, and other countries nearby, and now local towns may elect a teen girl to play the Christ child for several weeks during the Christmas season. What began as a slightly older version of Jesus has become a winged blonde teenage girl, usually bedecked in white and gold.

Martin Luther developed the Christmas figure Christkind.
Martin Luther developed the Christmas figure Christkind.

This figure shares much in common with Santa Claus, and delivers gifts on Christmas Eve. The main difference in thought, especially in early times, was the idea this figure was a representation of Christ. Emphasis was on the fact that it is Jesus Christ through which all good things come, and certainly not a saint or any secular version of Santa Claus. Santa Claus and all his manifestations have never quite left, and the name Kris Kringle actually derives from Christkind.

Santa Claus has many similarities with the Christkind.
Santa Claus has many similarities with the Christkind.

The angelic symbol has been particularly revived in place like Nuremberg, Germany, since the end of World War II. It is from this point forward that various christkinder have been depicted as teenage girls. One tradition that dates back centuries is the christkindlesmarkt, a Christmas market held in various towns each year where vast numbers of Christmas supplies and toys are sold. These markets are particularly enjoyed and many people come to sample food and drink, as well as to shop for the season.

Traditions have expanded the Christkind role in certain parts of Germany.
Traditions have expanded the Christkind role in certain parts of Germany.

At such markets, an elected Christkind may be present, and adults and children can both visit with her. Since World War II, she has not only come to represent the Christ child but also to be a symbol of hope after great destruction. She additionally stands for the very personal relationship that each individual can have with Jesus Christ.

Controversy about using Santa (St. Nick) or other figures still continues. Some towns in countries that anticipate the Christkind are disturbed when various Santa Claus representations are promulgated. Others allow the two figures to exist together, with each having symbolic importance during the Christmas season.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

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Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

PurpleSpark

@snowywinter: The legend of St. Nick, also known as St. Nicholas, has led to many questions and many different answers. This is one version:

Around 300 A.D., in Patara, Lycia, Asia Minor, (the area now known as Turkey), there lived a young boy by the name of Nicholas. He was an orphan child living with his uncle. He was to receive a large sum of money when he became of age. His uncle had raised him to believe in God and to give to others in need.

Nicholas received his money and left to attend an all boys’ school in the town of Patara. There, he heard of a young boy who was at home very sick. Nicholas secretly started carving a wooden animal to cheer him up. He slipped out one night and put it in the little boy’s shoe.

Nicholas continued secretly giving to people in need throughout his life. He became known as St. Nicholas, a.k.a. St. Nick.

Now, that is just one story that I’ve heard. There are others.

SnowyWinter

Where did the legend of "St. Nick" come from?

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    • Martin Luther developed the Christmas figure Christkind.
      By: Georgios Kollidas
      Martin Luther developed the Christmas figure Christkind.
    • Santa Claus has many similarities with the Christkind.
      By: Lisa F. Young
      Santa Claus has many similarities with the Christkind.
    • Traditions have expanded the Christkind role in certain parts of Germany.
      By: Gerhard Egger
      Traditions have expanded the Christkind role in certain parts of Germany.